|||

Bitcoin Halving 2024: What You Need to Know

The Bitcoin community is buzzing with anticipation as the next halving is happening very soon, on April 20 (you can check the countdown here). But what exactly is the Bitcoin halving, and does it matter?

What Is The Bitcoin Halving?

Every 210,000 blocks, or roughly every four years the reward given to miners for processing transactions and securing the blockchain is reduced by half. Originally, when the Bitcoin network was launched in 2009 the miners received 50 bitcoin per mined block. In 2012 the first halving cut the reward down to 25 bitcoin. In 2016 it was halved again and as of May 2020, the block reward stands at 6.25 bitcoin. With the upcoming 2024 halving, it will drop to 3.125 bitcoin.

Why Does It Matter? Supply Control

The halving is a crucial mechanism for controlling Bitcoin’s inflation. By reducing the rate at which new coins are created, the halving ensures that Bitcoin’s supply grows at a predictably slow pace.

Currently, around 19.7 million bitcoin are in circulation. By 2140, all 21 million bitcoin will have been mined. Mining will continue and the miners will be rewarded solely with transaction fees.

Here you can see the total bitcoin supply over time:

Halving and the Price of Bitcoin

Historically, the halving has led to significant fluctuations in Bitcoin’s price. The reduced supply of new bitcoin tends to create upward pressure on the price, as demand remains steady or increases. Past cycles have seen price increases leading up to and following the halving, though the market can be influenced by numerous factors beyond the halving itself.

Historical Halving Dates

The first halving happened on November 28, 2012. In 2024 the halving will take place the fourth time.

  1. Nov 28, 2012
  2. July 9, 2016
  3. May 11, 2020
  4. exp. April 20, 2024

Why Is There No Exact Date for the Halving?

The time between mined blocks is aimed to be 10 min. In case the processing power of all miners is going up, blocks will be found sooner, which reduces the time span and the other way round. As the halving time is defined by an amount of 210,000 blocks mined, it’s not possible to know the exact date and time in advance. That’s why over the years the halving has been becoming a social event where Bitcoiners gather all around the world to wait together for it to occur just like a football game.

How does the Halving work?

Nothing has to be done to make the halving happen. As Bitcoin is a software written in C++ code Satoshi Nakamoto defined the code for the halving of the block reward like this and added a comment to the code, saying Subsidy is cut in half every 210,000 blocks which will occur approximately every four years.”

The halving interval code in the Bitcoin Core software in C++

Do You Want To Learn More About Bitcoin?

Up next Podcast: Spending Bitcoin Is Important with Carel van Wyk The Importance of UTXO Management aka Coin Control
Latest posts Bitcoin: A Revolutionary Force for Human Rights in the Digital Age Überraschende Einblicke - Bitcoins Rolle in Afrika - Interview Send Bitcoin From Mobile Wallet To Hardware Wallet and Navigate High Fees The Importance of UTXO Management aka Coin Control Bitcoin Halving 2024: What You Need to Know Podcast: Spending Bitcoin Is Important with Carel van Wyk Unjust Systems Prevail, Social Change is Rare Can’t Afford Bitcoin Self-Custody? Start Saving Small Amounts with this Strategy Podcast: Bitcoin Empowers Zambia and Zimbabwe AQUA Wallet Explained: Is It Right For You? Bitcoin Spot ETF? Discussion: Curse Or Blessing For Bitcoin Adoption? Podcast: Financial Empowerment Bitcoin on Your Phone - Alternatives to IOS and Android Podcast: On the Access Tribe Podcast Upgrade your existing Phoenix Wallet for Splicing Lightning Network and Bitcoin - What’s the Difference? Lightning Wallets: Self-Custody Despite Poor Network Connection - Best Apps Tested in Zimbabwe 2024 A Non-Technical Explainer of Bitcoin, Lightning, Liquid, and E-Cash Lightning Self-Custody for Beginners with Phoenix Wallet Bitcoin For Fairness Review 2023 Fast and easy payments with bitcoin - Let people send sats via your website #7 Most Impactful African Bitcoiner Bitcoin Flyer in Bahasa Indonesia Understanding The Different Bitcoin Address Formats Introducing the Anita Posch AI Bot: Your Personal Bitcoin Educator Slides Bitcoin 101 - Africa Bitcoin Conference 2023 Unlock the Power of Self-Custody: Green Wallet Tutorial Bitcoin, Souveränität statt ETF Investment Bitcoin Empowers Africa and Africans Empower Bitcoin | Plan ₿ Forum 2023 (L)earn Bitcoin - Know Your Basics - Transactions & PoW Mining | Indonesia Bitcoin Conference 2023 Bitcoin, ein Instrument für Freiheit und finanzielle Selbstbestimmung


Contact & Imprint | Privacy Policy