Bitcoin halving is a built-in feature of the Bitcoin protocol that reduces the rate at which new Bitcoins are created by half approximately every four years. The number of new Bitcoins created in each block is reduced by 50% every 210,000 blocks (about every four years), until the maximum supply of 21 million Bitcoins is reached. This is designed to mimic the rate at which natural resources like gold are mined, and to keep the rate of inflation in check. The most recent halving occurred in May 2020.
When is The Next Bitcoin Halving?
The next Bitcoin halving is expected to occur in 2024, around May 8th to be precise. It will reduce the number of new Bitcoins created in each block reward from 6.25 to 3.125. This will decrease the rate of new Bitcoin entering the market and could potentially have an impact on the price. However, it is important to note that the exact date of the halving can vary depending on the rate at which blocks are mined, which can be affected by factors such as mining difficulty and the amount of computational power dedicated to the network.
How is the bitcoin halving expected to affect the crypto market?
The effects of Bitcoin halving on the crypto market are a topic of debate among experts and investors. Some people believe that the halving will cause a scarcity of Bitcoins, which will lead to an increase in demand and a corresponding increase in price. This is because the reduced supply of new Bitcoins will make existing Bitcoins scarcer, and therefore more valuable. This is known as the stock-to-flow model. However, it’s important to note that a global recession could have an impact on the crypto market as well as on the price of Bitcoin. A recession can lead to a decrease in investment and trading activities, which can lead to a decrease in demand for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, which in turn could lead to a decrease in price.
Previous Bitcoin halvings have had a significant impact on the price of Bitcoin. The first halving occurred in November 2012, when the block reward was reduced from 50 Bitcoins to 25 Bitcoins. At the time of the halving, the price of Bitcoin was around $12, and it gradually increased to reach a peak of around $1,200 in late 2013. The second halving occurred in July 2016, when the block reward was reduced from 25 Bitcoins to 12.5 Bitcoins. At the time of the halving, the price of Bitcoin was around $650, and it gradually increased to reach a peak of around $20,000 in December 2017. The most recent halving occurred on May 2020, where the block reward was reduced from 12.5 to 6.25 Bitcoins. The price of Bitcoin was around $10,000 at the time of the halving and it gradually increased to reach a peak of around $64,000 by April 2021.
It’s important to note that the above is a general overview of the price changes and the exact price change after each halving varies and is also influenced by other factors such as global events, regulations and investor sentiment. Also, the market’s reaction to the halving and a potential recession is not always predictable, as crypto market is highly speculative and influenced by various factors.
