比特币的性质界定与刑法应对

A Study onthe Definition of Bitcoin and Its Regulation of Criminal Law

比特币从属于密码货币,是一种可兑换型的虚拟货币,不同于电子货币。考察人类货币演进史,可知法定货币彰显了国家主义理念,比特币则是奉自由主义为圭臬,观念层面的背反注定让二者的互益共存之路充满荆棘。我国将比特币认定为"特定的虚拟商品"具有合理性,同时亦可将其视为刑法意义上的财物,窃取比特币的行为应以盗窃罪予以规制。对于窃取他人平台账户中的比特币,应以被盗时平台公布的交易价格作为计算标准;对于窃取他人非平台账户中比特币的价值评估是难点,可以成本价、市场交易价、销赃价格等方式为考量。

Bitcoin belongs to the cryptocurrency and can be regarded as a kind of convertible virtual as well. But there are differences between Bitcoin and electronic money. From the history of human currency evolution, it can be found that the fiat money and Bitcoin embody nationalism and liberalism respectively. It is reasonable for our country to regard Bitcoin as a kind of “specific virtual commodity.” Since Bitcoin can be regarded as criminal property, stealing Bitcoin should be considered a theft. The value of Bitcoins in the trading platform account should be calculated based on the transaction price which is released by the platform at the time of theft. Although it is difficult to evaluate the value of Bitcoins in a personal Bitcoin wallet, the possible criteria may be based on the cost, the market transaction price, or the stolen price, etc.