Bitcoin’s value went through the roof on Wednesday last week as investors piled into the digital currency, which is often used as a hedge during times of uncertainty in the global economy. However, several hours later Bitcoin crashed by nearly 20 percent, with analysts attributing the fall to a sudden rise in the value of China’s yuan.
Bitcoin soared in value last year, becoming 2016’s strongest performing currency, with the digital currency’s dizzying rise continuing over into the new year. The Bitcoin Price Index showed the currency breaking through the US$1,100 mark during early trading Wednesday, reaching a three-year high of US$1,139.89 and edging toward 2013’s record high of US$1,165.89.
However, according to Reuters, Bitcoin’s value suddenly plummeted on Thursday by 20 percent, slumping to US$885.41, a fall of more than US$200 in a single day’s trading, once again demonstrating the volatile nature of digital currencies. Reports attributed the cause of the dramatic crash to the Chinese yuan offshore exchange rate’s steep appreciation of more than 1 percent against the dollar.
Photo: Bloomberg
照片：彭博
(CNA, translated by Edward Jones)
世界經濟前景不定，數位貨幣比特幣被當作避險標的，上週三在投資人追逐下一度逼近歷史天價，但幾個小時後就暴跌約百分之二十，據分析主因是人民幣匯價突然飆升。
比特幣價位去年飆漲，成為二○一六年表現最強勢貨幣，這種令人頭暈目眩的漲勢今年以來仍然持續，比特幣價格指數顯示，比特幣上週三早晨突破一千一百美元價位，最高來到一千一百三十九點八九美元，是近三年最高價，逼近二○一三年所創一千一百六十五點八九美元歷史天價。
不過，路透社報導，比特幣下午突然暴跌多達百分之二十，一度下滑到八百八十五點四一美元價位，一天內重挫逾兩百美元，再次顯示這種貨幣的多變。據信比特幣回挫主因是離岸人民幣兌美元匯率大漲超過百分之一。
(中央社)
1. digital currency n. phr.
數位貨幣
(shu4 wei4 huo4 bi4)
2. hedge n.
避險標的
(bi4 xian3 biao1 di4)
3. plummet v.
暴跌 (bao4 die2)
4. volatile adj.
多變 (duo1 bian4)
The practice of shenzhu (divine pig) “fattened pig” contests today play only a small role in Taiwan’s folk religion, but they are still held within a minority of temples. On Aug. 27, Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Rosalia Wu held a news conference advocating for the shenzhu sacred pigs, objecting to the longstanding allowances given to breeders, and calling for strict enforcement of fines against the practice. Environment & Animal Society of Taiwan (EAST) researcher Tsun Fang-chu said private breeders keep the animals in cages and force-feed them to fatten them up, and over the long term this increase in weight means
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Let’s go for a spin in my new set of wheels (2/5) 坐我的新車去兜風吧（二） A: How about we organize a road trip to test out my new set of wheels? B: Alright. Any thoughts on where to go? A: I’m thinking of driving along the east coast and staying in Taitung for a long weekend. What do you think? B: That’s a great idea — but does your vintage car have air conditioning? A: I’m afraid not, but at least the weather is starting to cool down now. How about this Saturday? B: Sure. Let’s do it! A: 我們來規劃一趟公路旅行，試試我的新車，你覺得如何？ B: 好啊。你有想到去哪裡嗎？ A: 我打算沿著東海岸開，然後週末連假待在台東。你覺得呢？ B: 那真是太棒了──不過，你的經典車有空調嗎？ A: 恐怕沒有哦，反正天氣開始變涼了。星期六出發怎麼樣？ B: 當然。就這麼做吧！ （Edward Jones, Taipei Times／台北時報章厚明譯） English 英文: Chinese 中文:
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