Related Articles
By: Julian Martinez, Bitcoin Consultant.
The recent occurrence of the 4th Bitcoin Halving, observed on April 19th, stands as a significant milestone within the cryptocurrency community. Taking place approximately every four years, the Halving symbolizes a pivotal moment wherein the rate of newly minted bitcoins added to the outstanding supply is halved.
Preceding the halving event, miners, the entities responsible for the discovery of blocks and the addition of transactions to the network, were rewarded with 6.25 bitcoins. Post-halving, this reward has been reduced to 3.125 bitcoins. The Halving, a term celebrated amongst enthusiasts, serves to underscore Bitcoin’s intrinsic scarcity, a fundamental aspect contributing to its perceived value.
For many investors, the appeal of Bitcoin lies in its portrayal as a safeguard against the depreciation of traditional fiat currencies such as the US dollar. The cryptocurrency is perceived as a censorship-resistant asset capable of shielding individuals from the erosive effects of inflation over extended periods. With a maximum cap of 21 million bitcoins, the scarcity of this digital currency is apparent, although not all bitcoins have yet been issued.
The addition of newly minted bitcoins to the outstanding supply occurs approximately every 10 minutes, with these rewards granted to miners in exchange for their role in securing the network. These miners, comprised of both companies and individuals, employ specialized computers that consume substantial amounts of electricity to ensure the finality and irreversibility of transactions.
What sets Bitcoin apart from traditional scarce assets like gold is the programmatically enforced scarcity facilitated by individuals running nodes. A bitcoin node, a program operable on most personal computers, ensures that only valid transactions are accepted by the network. In the event of attempts to manipulate the network, including unauthorized attempts to generate additional bitcoins, nodes possess the capability to mathematically detect and reject fraudulent transactions. This autonomous verification process enables individuals to manage their bitcoin balances and conduct transactions without reliance on third-party platforms such as Coinbase.
While updates to the Bitcoin network, known as soft forks, are possible, they are typically characterized by modest adjustments and necessitate widespread consensus. The ongoing appreciation of Bitcoin is attributed to its immutable scarcity, particularly in an era marked by expanding money supplies and volatile financial markets. Bitcoin’s hard-coded scarcity provides a sense of assurance amidst prevailing uncertainties, underpinning its enduring value proposition.