5 Facts about Bitcoin Halving [Beginners’ Guide]

The Bitcoin halving event is a critical part of the cryptocurrency industry, as it has a significant impact on the supply, demand, and value of the digital currency. In this article, we will explore five essential facts that beginners need to know about Bitcoin halving.

Fact 1: Bitcoin halving is a programmed event

Bitcoin halving is a pre-coded event that happens every 210,000 blocks, which is roughly every four years. The purpose of halving is to reduce the number of Bitcoin rewards that miners receive for verifying transactions.

In other words, Bitcoin halving is a process that takes place approximately every four years on the Bitcoin network, and it refers to the process of reducing the amount of new Bitcoin that is generated every ten minutes. 

This event occurs every 210,000 blocks mined on the Bitcoin network, and it involves cutting in half the block reward that miners receive for validating transactions on the network. New bitcoins enter circulation as block rewards, produced by the efforts of “miners” who use expensive electronic equipment to earn or “mine” them. 

Also Read: What’s Bitcoin and 7 Biggest Bitcoin Myths

Fact 2: Halving reduces the supply of new Bitcoin

During Bitcoin halving, the reward for mining a new block is reduced by 50%. As a result, the supply of new Bitcoin is reduced, which makes it harder to obtain and increases its value.

Bitcoin was designed to have a finite supply of 21 million Bitcoins to ensure that it would be scarce and valuable, much like gold. This makes it a useful store of value and means of exchange, as it cannot be easily inflated or devalued. Additionally, the finite supply of Bitcoin helps to prevent centralization by limiting the ability of large players to acquire and control the majority of the supply. This is in contrast to fiat currencies, which can be printed and devalued at the discretion of central banks. Bitcoin halving is usually accompanied by a lot of turmoil for the cryptocurrency. As a result of the halving cycle, the supply of available Bitcoin decreases, raising the value of Bitcoins yet to be mined.

The number of new bitcoins entering circulation shrinks, but demand should, in theory, stay the same, possibly driving up the bitcoin’s price. And so the event has inspired passionate debate about bitcoin price predictions and how the market will respond. The theory is that there will be less bitcoin available to buy if miners have less to sell.

Also Read: Bitcoin’s Whitepaper – Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System

Fact 3: Halving can cause price fluctuations

Bitcoin halving has historically been associated with significant price increases. However, the exact effect on the price is difficult to predict and can be influenced by a variety of factors, including market demand and supply.

The impact of Bitcoin halving on the price of Bitcoin is a subject of much debate. Historically, Bitcoin’s price has tended to increase significantly in the months and years following a halving event. This is because the reduced supply of new Bitcoins makes the existing coins more valuable and in higher demand. For example, on November 28, 2012, when the price of BTC was around $12, the first halving took place; one year later, Bitcoin had risen to nearly $1,000. Though it was much in the discussion that the bubble would inevitably burst, but since then, Bitcoin has bounced back from every major price drop and has even surpassed its previous all-time high.

One possible explanation for this resilience is that Bitcoin is not just a speculative asset but also has real-world use cases. As more businesses and individuals adopt Bitcoin as a means of payment or a store of value, the demand for Bitcoin increases, which can help to offset the impact of halving on the price.

Another factor to consider is that the cryptocurrency market as a whole has matured significantly since the early days of Bitcoin. There are now more sophisticated investors, institutional players, and regulatory frameworks in place that can help to stabilize the market and prevent excessive volatility.

Of course, there are also many unknowns and variables that can influence the price of Bitcoin, such as geopolitical events, technological developments, and changes in investor sentiment. As such, it is impossible to predict with certainty what will happen to the price of Bitcoin after the next halving event.

Fact 4: Halving affects mining profitability

Bitcoin halving is an important event that has a significant impact on the cryptocurrency ecosystem. As discussed earlier, halving reduces the rewards for mining new blocks, which can increase the cost of mining and reduce profitability. This is because miners need to use the same resources to mine a lesser number of coins. The impact of halving on mining profitability is one of the most significant challenges that miners face.

Bitcoin follows ‘proof of work’, Proof of Work was introduced by Bitcoin as early as 2008. The proof of work mechanism is the backbone of peer-to-peer transactions in a secure manner without the need for a trusted third party. 

As a reminder, a blockchain is a public ledger comprised of blocks of transactions for every cryptocurrency. Each block of transactions in a proof-of-work cryptocurrency has a unique hash. 

A block in the Bitcoin blockchain is a record of transactions. Miners aim to add the next block to the chain by solving a complicated mathematical puzzle. They use specialized hardware, which generates a 64-character code known as a “hash.” Once a miner solves the puzzle, they add the block to the chain, and the transactions become a permanent part of the blockchain. As a reward for their efforts, miners receive Bitcoin.

Bitcoin halving can significantly impact the profitability of mining. When the rewards for mining new blocks are reduced, miners need to use more resources to mine the same number of coins, which can increase the cost of mining and reduce profitability.

Miners use computing-intensive mining equipment to accomplish this, and the first miner with the target hash updates the blockchain and collects the incentives.

The top five Bitcoin mining companies, as of 18 April 2023, were Marathon Digital (MARA), Riot Blockchain (RIOT), Canaan (CAN), Hut 8 (HUT), and Cipher (CIFR), according to data from CompaniesMarketCap. These companies play a crucial role in the Bitcoin ecosystem as they are responsible for processing and verifying transactions on the blockchain.

Also Read: [Beginners’ Guide] Proof of Work (PoW) versus Proof of Stake (PoS)

Fact 5: The final halving will happen in 2140

There will only ever be 21 million Bitcoin in existence, and the final halving event will occur in the year 2140, at which point the maximum supply of Bitcoin will have been reached.

Roughly every four years, the total number of bitcoin that miners can potentially win is halved. The first Bitcoin halving occurred in November 2012, reducing the block reward from 50 BTC to 25 BTC. The second halving happened in July 2016, reducing the reward to 12.5 BTC. The most recent halving occurred in May 2020, cutting the reward to 6.25 BTC.

The next one is scheduled for early 2023.

Conclusion

ConclusionBitcoin halving is a critical aspect of Bitcoin’s monetary policy and has important implications for the cryptocurrency market. By reducing the supply of new Bitcoin, halving helps to ensure that Bitcoin remains scarce and valuable, much like gold. It also helps to prevent centralization by limiting the ability of large players to acquire and control the majority of the supply.

While the impact of halving on the price of Bitcoin is subject to debate, history suggests that Bitcoin has the potential to recover and even thrive in the aftermath of a halving event. As the cryptocurrency market continues to mature, Bitcoin’s role as a store of value and means of payment is likely to become even more prominent.

Whether you are a seasoned investor or a beginner, understanding Bitcoin halving is an essential part of navigating the world of cryptocurrencies. By staying informed and up-to-date on the latest developments in the market, you can make informed decisions about how to invest in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.