Bitcoin halving - statistics & facts
Crypto enthusiasts considered the Bitcoin halving of April 2024 one of the industry's biggest moments, but what does the halving actually mean, and is it a good or a bad thing? The halving is an event that occurs roughly once every four years - the most recent on April 19, 2024. It does two things. One, it releases 50 percent of the remaining number of bitcoins in circulation. Second, it decreases the reward of Bitcoin (BTC) mining by 50 percent. The previous halving in 2020, for instance, released 1,312,500 bitcoins to the public and decreased the block reward from 12.5 bitcoin to 6.25 bitcoin. The 2024 halving reduces this further, releasing half of the previous amount - 656,250 bitcoins - and slashing the previous rewards in half - to 3.125 BTC per block. This way, Bitcoin artificially ensures scarcity. Typically, the Bitcoin trading volume goes up significantly around the halving as investors are reminded that Bitcoin is capped at a maximum of 21 million bitcoins.
The Bitcoin halving is, therefore, not a new event. Nevertheless, the hype has been building up as 2024 progressed. What makes the fourth halving different from its three predecessors?
The Bitcoin halving is, therefore, not a new event. Nevertheless, the hype has been building up as 2024 progressed. What makes the fourth halving different from its three predecessors?
