What Is Bitcoin Halving?

Mar 22, 2024 | 4 min read

Before we dive into the Bitcoin Halving, let’s take a look at what Bitcoin is.

Key Takeaways

The Bitcoin halving takes place roughly every four years, reducing the introduction of new Bitcoin by 50%.
This year’s Bitcoin Halving is expected to occur between the 15th and the 20th of April. At this point, the mining rewards per block will fall to 3.125 BTC.
The halving diminishes the influx of new bitcoins into the market, potentially triggering price appreciation should demand either remain steady or surge.

What is Bitcoin?

Bitcoin (BTC) is the pioneering decentralized cryptocurrency, leveraging peer-to-peer technology without central authority. Its transactions are facilitated via open-source software, ensuring security and censorship-resistance through blockchain technology—a distributed ledger accessible to all for transaction verification. While transactions are transparent, user identities are often pseudonymous.

Blockchain operates through a chain of data blocks, verified by miners, who receive rewards in BTC and transaction fees. Encryption via SHA-256 hashing secures block data. With a capped supply of 21 million coins, new blocks are added every 10 minutes, regulated by a difficulty adjustment mechanism. Each BTC is divisible into eight decimal places, with the smallest unit termed a satoshi. Further divisibility may occur in the future.

Bitcoin's inflation control halves mining rewards roughly every four years. The Bitcoin Halving is a highly anticipated event within the crypto community but what exactly happens?

Bitcoin Halving, Explained

Bitcoin uses a proof-of-work (PoW) system, where validating transactions requires significant time and energy, which acts as proof that work was done. Participants utilize computers or specialized rigs to process and validate transactions on the network.

Transactions are bundled into blocks, which miners compete to solve. Upon confirmation of transaction legitimacy, miners are rewarded for their efforts, creating a continuous chain of blocks known as the blockchain.

The Bitcoin Halving is when Bitcoin's mining reward is split in half. The blockchain network requires approximately four years to unlock an additional 210,000 blocks, adhering to the standard established by its creators to steadily diminish the rate at which the cryptocurrency is introduced.

History of Mining Rewards

The original reward for mining a block was 50 bitcoin. However, since then three Bitcoin Halvings have taken place:

On November 28th, 2012 mining rewards dropped to 25 bitcoins per block
On July 9th, 2016 this was reduced further to 12.5 bitcoins per block
On May 11th, 2020 mining rewards halved to 6.25 bitcoins per block

Fun fact, as of this month, roughly 19.65 million bitcoins are circulating. This leaves about 1.35 million BTC to be distributed via mining rewards.

Historical Precedents

Looking back at previous halving events in 2012, 2016, and 2020 provides valuable insights into potential outcomes. Historically, Bitcoin prices have experienced significant rallies following halving events. The reduction in supply coupled with sustained or increased demand has fueled bullish sentiment among investors, leading to substantial price appreciation. However, it's essential to recognize that past performance does not guarantee future results, and market dynamics can evolve unpredictably.

Impact on Supply and Demand

The halving event exerts a direct influence on the supply of Bitcoin. With fewer bitcoins entering circulation through mining, the rate of supply growth diminishes. However, demand dynamics play a crucial role in determining the overall market response. If demand remains stable or increases, the reduced supply could potentially drive up the price of Bitcoin, as scarcity intensifies its perceived value.

Bitcoin Halving as an Investor

For investors navigating the Bitcoin landscape, strategic planning is paramount, especially in anticipation of significant events like the halving. Diversification, risk management, and a long-term perspective are fundamental principles to mitigate potential risks and capitalize on opportunities. Whether one chooses to hodl (hold onto) Bitcoin through market fluctuations or actively trade, a well-informed approach is key to success.

Bottom Line

It’s safe to say that the crypto community eagerly awaits this year’s Bitcoin Halving. As April quickly approaches, crypto enthusiasts around the world are paying even more attention to the price developments of Bitcoin than usual. If history repeats itself, we’ll likely encounter a Bitcoin price rally following the halving. Investing in Bitcoin or any cryptocurrency involves the risk of loss. We urge you to sufficiently inform and educate yourself about the crypto market and the cryptocurrencies you’re looking to invest in. That being said, we can’t wait to see what the Bitcoin Halving brings with it!