Abstract: As of late 2021, there are about 18.8 million Bitcoins in circulation, with just over 2 million left to be mined to reach the total supply cap of 21 million. By January 2024, this number had risen to around 18.6 million. This scarcity is a core aspect of Bitcoin's design to prevent inflation.
Bitcoins are created through mining, where miners solve complex puzzles to validate transactions and are rewarded with new Bitcoins. The mining process becomes more difficult over time, with rewards halving every four years or so. The last Bitcoin is expected to be mined around 2140.
Bitcoin's value is backed by network security, scarcity, utility, adoption, and its role as a store of value. It operates on a decentralized network, making it resistant to censorship and tampering. Its capped supply and increasing adoption worldwide contribute to its perceived value.
Mining is an alternative way to acquire Bitcoin. Miners validate transactions on the network in exchange for newly minted Bitcoins. While it can be lucrative, especially when Bitcoin prices are high, it also requires significant upfront investment in equipment and ongoing electricity costs.
Estimating the exact number of Bitcoin miners is challenging due to the decentralized nature of mining. Factors influencing the number of miners include mining pools, geographical distribution, hardware accessibility, network difficulty, market conditions, and environmental concerns.
People mine Bitcoin for various reasons, including profitability, supporting the network, tech enthusiasm, philosophical beliefs, diversification of income, learning experiences, and community engagement.
Bitcoin's total supply is capped at 21 million coins, with fewer than 2.2 million left to be mined. The circulating supply is influenced by factors such as investor holdings and adoption by businesses. Liquidity refers to the ease with which Bitcoins can be traded without affecting their price.
Building a Bitcoin mining PC involves assembling hardware components designed for solving cryptographic puzzles. The core component is the ASIC miner, which is purpose-built for Bitcoin's hashing algorithm. Other considerations include a high-quality power supply unit, an effective cooling system, mining pool membership, and mining software.
While not every miner needs a personal mining rig, having dedicated mining hardware can improve efficiency and profitability. Alternatives include cloud mining and joining a mining pool, which require less upfront investment but may offer lower profitability and less control.
Bitcoin was introduced in 2009 by Satoshi Nakamoto as a decentralized digital currency. It has since evolved into a global digital asset with a market capitalization in the trillions. Bitcoin's decentralized nature and limited supply have made it a hedge against inflation and a store of value.
Bitcoin's price has fluctuated significantly over the years, influenced by various events and developments in the cryptocurrency space. The price ranges provided are approximate and based on data from various exchanges.
To convert Bitcoin to USD, choose a reputable exchange, create an account, deposit your Bitcoin, initiate a sell order, set the price and execution method, confirm and execute the order, and finally, withdraw the USD to your bank account.