crypto-currency
日本ではビットコインは「仮想通貨」と呼ばれていますが、英語の方は「暗号化通貨（crypto-currency）」という言い方の方が普通らしいですね。接頭辞 cryptoは「隠された、秘密の、ぼんやりした」という意味を表しますが、確かにネット上の実態のないコインのあやうさを感じ取ることができます。
閑話休題。高校時代に日本史や世界史の教科書にあった基本用語を英語にする「遊び」をしていましたが（山川出版の世界史には英語表記がありました）、確か「隠れキリシタン」の正式な用語にもcrypto-が付いていたような記憶があります。（UG）
Bitcoin exchange MtGox files for bankruptcy protection
The world's largest crypto-currency exchange has filed for bankruptcy protection after months of uncertainty and delays for customers trying to withdraw cash, but questions remain over the fate of around £251m of bitcoins
Tokyo-based MtGox has filed for bankruptcy protection, according to Japanese media reports. A lawyer representing the company made a statement at the Tokyo District Court this morning and claimed that the company had outstanding debts of \6.5 billion.
It was also suggested that a significant amount of bitcoins had gone missing. Chief executive Mark Karpeles appeared on Japanese television news and bowed - a traditional mark of remorse in Japanese culture.
The website provides a way for customers to exchange US dollars for bitcoins, a digital currency that has soared in price over recent years but remains largely unregulated.
In November last year customers began having problems withdrawing cash, sometimes encountering delays of several weeks. Then, on February 7, the site officially stopped all withdrawals and claimed that it needed time to “obtain a clear technical view of the currency processes”.
