Why Bitcoin’s Supply Is Capped at 21 Million Forever
bitcoin’s 21 million supply cap is hard‑coded in its protocol, enforced by halving events and network consensus, ensuring predictable scarcity and preventing inflation.
Capitalizations Index – B ∞/21M
bitcoin’s 21 million supply cap is hard‑coded in its protocol, enforced by halving events and network consensus, ensuring predictable scarcity and preventing inflation.
bitcoin’s protocol cuts block rewards in half every 210,000 blocks, roughly every four years, slowing new supply, reinforcing scarcity, and influencing miner incentives and market dynamics.
bitcoin’s first halving in November 2012 cut the block reward from 50 to 25 BTC. This programmed event reduced new supply, tested network security, and set a precedent for future halvings.
bitcoin transaction fees reflect real-time network demand. When blocks are crowded, users bid higher fees for priority. Understanding this market helps optimize cost and confirmation speed.
bitcoin’s 21 million coin limit is enforced by code and a halving schedule. This article explains how new coins are issued, when they’ll run out, and why the cap matters.
bitcoin’s first halving occurred in November 2012, reducing the block reward from 50 to 25 BTC. This event slowed new supply, highlighted scarcity, and set a pattern for future halvings.
bitcoin promises borderless, inflation-resistant transactions, yet faces volatility, scalability, and regulatory hurdles that limit its role as a full replacement for traditional money.
bitcoin recalibrates mining difficulty every 2016 blocks to maintain a roughly 10-minute block time, responding to changes in network hash power and ensuring consistent, predictable issuance.
bitcoin’s four-year issuance halving reduces the block reward, slowing new coin supply. This programmed scarcity aims to limit inflation, influence miner incentives, and shape long-term market dynamics.