Bitcoin just hit a significant milestone that every crypto trader should be aware of—94% of its total supply has now been mined. With only 21 million Bitcoin ever to be created, over 19.74 million are already out there, circulating in the market. This is a big deal for anyone invested in or considering investing in Bitcoin because it highlights the core value proposition of Bitcoin: its controlled scarcity.
Bitcoin isn’t like fiat currencies that governments can print endlessly. It’s designed to be limited and to become scarcer over time. Every four years or so, something called a “halving” occurs, where the reward miners receive for validating transactions is cut in half. When Bitcoin first started, miners earned 50 BTC per block. After three halvings, that reward is now down to just 6.25 BTC per block. These halvings make sure that the number of new Bitcoins entering the market slows down over time.
With 94% of all Bitcoin already mined, there are only about 1.26 million BTC left to be created, and it’s going to take more than 100 years to mine the rest. By the year 2140, experts believe that 99.9% of all Bitcoin will have been mined. After that, miners will mainly earn money through transaction fees, rather than from mining new coins.
So, what does this mean for you as a crypto trader? Bitcoin’s scarcity is more than just a number—it’s a crucial part of what gives Bitcoin its value. As the supply dwindles, demand is likely to increase, especially in a world where central banks keep printing more and more money. For those who believe in Bitcoin as “digital gold,” this scarcity makes it an even more attractive asset, something that could hold its value or even appreciate as traditional currencies face devaluation.
As a trader, this milestone serves as a reminder of Bitcoin’s unique position in the financial world. It’s not just another cryptocurrency; it’s the original, the most secure, and the most scarce. With so much of the supply already mined, Bitcoin is becoming rarer and rarer, making the remaining coins potentially even more valuable. This is the time to reflect on your Bitcoin strategy—whether it’s holding, buying more, or even just understanding its place in your portfolio.