The discovery of 200,000 bitcoins by the now bankrupt bitcoin exchange Mt. Gox really does put the entire virtual money phenomenon into perspective. The bitcoins, which have no physical presence whatsoever, were located in “wallets” (can’t see them either) that had somehow been overlooked in the inventory of what Mt. Gox possessed. Did we hear some cynic say bitcoins don’t exist period? Are you waiting for the day when the police seize millions of bitcoins obtained as the result of mischief and trumpet their crime-busting by showing the media empty suitcases?
