How Many Bitcoins Exist In The World? (Deep Research)

✅ Fact Checked

Updated on February 12, 2023

Written by
John Chad, Bachelor Degree in Computer Science & Computer Engineering.

Fact Checked by
Russel Collins

John is a certified IT & Computer Engineer with a Bachelors Degree. He has worked for a International Insurance Company in the IT department before deciding to become a full time blogger to help his readers. Holds a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science from Stanford University.

⭐ Fun Fact ⭐

Did you know that the creator of Bitcoin, known under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, has never spent any of the original Bitcoins he mined in the early days of the cryptocurrency? Despite being worth billions of dollars, the identity and whereabouts of Satoshi remain unknown to this day, adding an extra layer of mystery to the already intriguing world of Bitcoin.

Bitcoin is a revolutionary digital currency that has changed the way we think about money. Created in 2009, it operates on a decentralized network that allows for peer-to-peer transactions without the need for intermediaries. Bitcoin has become increasingly popular over the years and its market capitalization now exceeds hundreds of billions of dollars. However, many people still wonder, “How many Bitcoins exist in the world?” In this blog, we will explore the total supply of Bitcoins, the current number in circulation, the number of lost or unavailable Bitcoins, who owns the majority of them, and the market capitalization of Bitcoin. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just starting to learn about cryptocurrencies, this information is essential for understanding the full potential of Bitcoin and its future in the global financial system.

Table of Contents

1 Background

Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency that was created in 2009 by an anonymous individual or group of individuals using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. The concept of Bitcoin was first introduced in a white paper that described a new electronic cash system that was designed to allow for secure and peer-to-peer transactions without the need for intermediaries. The idea behind Bitcoin was to create a currency that was not controlled by any government or financial institution and that could be used anywhere in the world.

Bitcoin operates on a decentralized network that is maintained by a network of computers around the world. This network, known as the blockchain, is a public ledger that keeps a record of all Bitcoin transactions. The blockchain is maintained by a process called mining, which involves using computers to solve complex mathematical problems. Miners are then rewarded with new Bitcoins for their efforts.

One of the key properties of Bitcoin is that it has a limited supply. There will only ever be 21 million Bitcoins in existence, and as of February 2023, there are currently 18.62 million in circulation. This limited supply is a major factor in the value of Bitcoin and is what sets it apart from traditional currencies. The pace at which new Bitcoins are being mined is slowing down and will eventually come to a stop when the maximum number of Bitcoins has been mined.

Another important property of Bitcoin is its decentralization. Unlike traditional currencies, which are controlled by governments and financial institutions, Bitcoin operates on a peer-to-peer network where transactions are verified by the users of the network rather than a central authority. This means that no one person or organization has control over the network and that transactions are processed in a more secure and transparent way.

As such, Bitcoin is a revolutionary digital currency that operates on a decentralized network and has a limited supply of 21 million coins. Its decentralized nature and limited supply are two of the key properties that set it apart from traditional currencies and have made it a popular alternative for many people around the world. Whether you are a seasoned investor or just starting to learn about cryptocurrencies, understanding the background and properties of Bitcoin is essential for understanding its full potential and its future in the global financial system.

2 Total Supply of Bitcoins

The total supply of Bitcoins is a critical aspect of the cryptocurrency, and it’s what sets it apart from traditional fiat currencies. The maximum number of Bitcoins that can ever exist is 21 million, and this figure is set in stone. No more Bitcoins will be created after the 21 million has been mined, making Bitcoin a deflationary currency. The scarcity of Bitcoins is what gives it its value and what makes it an attractive investment option for many people.

As of February 2023, there are currently 18.62 million Bitcoins in circulation. This means that there are still over 2.38 million Bitcoins that have yet to be mined. The pace at which new Bitcoins are being mined is slowing down as the difficulty of mining new coins increases, and eventually, it will come to a stop when the 21 million has been mined. The rate at which new Bitcoins are being mined is called the block reward, and it is halved every 210,000 blocks.

The current number of Bitcoins in circulation and the pace at which new Bitcoins are being mined are both critical factors that influence the price of the cryptocurrency. As the number of Bitcoins in circulation increases, the difficulty of mining new coins also increases, making it more difficult to mine new Bitcoins. At the same time, as the number of Bitcoins in circulation approaches the maximum of 21 million, the scarcity of the cryptocurrency will continue to increase, potentially driving up its value.

So basically, the total supply of Bitcoins is a crucial aspect of the cryptocurrency that sets it apart from traditional fiat currencies. With a maximum number of 21 million coins and a slow pace at which new Bitcoins are being mined, the scarcity of Bitcoins is what gives it its value and makes it an attractive investment option. Understanding the total supply of Bitcoins and how it affects the price of the cryptocurrency is essential for anyone interested in investing in Bitcoin.

3 Lost or Unavailable Bitcoins

Lost or unavailable Bitcoins refer to the amount of the cryptocurrency that has been lost due to various reasons, making them inaccessible to their owners. In the early days of Bitcoin, many users were not aware of the importance of secure storage and often lost their private keys, which meant they lost access to their Bitcoins. Over time, people have also lost their devices that had their private keys stored on them, making the Bitcoins stored on them permanently lost.

Factors that contribute to Bitcoins being lost or unavailable
There are several factors that contribute to Bitcoins becoming lost or unavailable. One of the main factors is the loss of private keys. The private key is an alphanumeric code that is used to access a Bitcoin wallet. If a user loses their private key, they will not be able to access their Bitcoins. Another factor is the accidental deletion of wallet files or the loss of the device on which the wallet is stored. Physical damage to storage devices can also lead to the permanent loss of Bitcoins.

The impact of lost or unavailable Bitcoins on the total supply
The impact of lost or unavailable Bitcoins on the total supply is that it reduces the total number of Bitcoins that are in circulation. As Bitcoins are lost or become unavailable, they are not able to be used in transactions or traded, and the total number of Bitcoins in circulation is reduced. This has a direct impact on the price of the cryptocurrency, as it reduces the supply of Bitcoins, which leads to an increase in demand and a corresponding increase in price.

As such, while lost or unavailable Bitcoins may seem like a small issue, it is important to understand the impact they have on the total supply of Bitcoins. To prevent your Bitcoins from becoming lost or unavailable, it is important to keep your private key safe and secure, and to make sure that you have multiple backups of your wallet files.

4 Owned Bitcoins

Owned Bitcoins is a topic that has garnered significant attention since the advent of cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin, the first decentralized cryptocurrency, has become a phenomenon in the world of finance. Let’s take a closer look at who owns the majority of Bitcoins and the distribution of Bitcoins among different individuals and entities.

Who owns the majority of Bitcoins is a question that’s been on everyone’s mind since the inception of Bitcoin. Currently, it is estimated that the top 1% of Bitcoin addresses hold more than 75% of all Bitcoins. This concentration of wealth is often referred to as the “Bitcoin whale phenomenon”.

Despite this concentration of wealth, the distribution of Bitcoins is still relatively decentralized compared to traditional financial assets. For example, the top 10 banks in the world own more than 60% of all traditional financial assets. This disparity highlights the fact that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have the potential to democratize wealth distribution.

The distribution of Bitcoins among different individuals and entities is a complex issue. The anonymity of Bitcoin transactions makes it difficult to track who owns what. However, blockchain analytics firms have developed methods to estimate the distribution of Bitcoins among different entities. According to these firms, early adopters and long-term holders make up a significant portion of the Bitcoin community.

In addition to individual holders, institutional investors and corporations are also starting to take an interest in Bitcoin. Major corporations like Tesla, Square, and MicroStrategy have made significant investments in Bitcoin, signaling a shift towards the mainstream acceptance of cryptocurrencies.

In summary, the ownership of Bitcoins is a complex issue, with the top 1% of addresses holding a significant portion of all Bitcoins. Despite this concentration of wealth, the distribution of Bitcoins is still relatively decentralized compared to traditional financial assets. The increasing interest from institutional investors and corporations also highlights the mainstream acceptance of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.

5 Market Capitalization of Bitcoin

Market capitalization of Bitcoin, also known as its market cap, is a commonly used metric to measure the value and size of the cryptocurrency. It is defined as the current market price of one Bitcoin multiplied by its total supply. In other words, it represents the total dollar value of all Bitcoin in circulation. The current market capitalization of Bitcoin is a highly variable figure, subject to fluctuations based on various factors and market conditions.

The current market capitalization of Bitcoin can range from billions to trillions of dollars, depending on the price of Bitcoin and the total number of coins in circulation. As of today, the market capitalization of Bitcoin is estimated to be around $1.1 trillion, which makes it one of the most valuable cryptocurrencies in the world.

The factors that determine the market capitalization of Bitcoin are numerous and can vary greatly depending on the state of the market and the overall sentiment towards the cryptocurrency. Some of the most important factors that determine the market capitalization of Bitcoin include the overall demand for the cryptocurrency, regulatory developments, technological advancements, and macroeconomic factors such as interest rates and inflation. Additionally, news events and announcements regarding Bitcoin can also have a significant impact on its market capitalization.

So basically, the market capitalization of Bitcoin is an important metric that provides a snapshot of the current value and size of the cryptocurrency. Understanding its underlying factors and the forces that drive its fluctuations is essential for anyone looking to invest in or trade Bitcoin. By monitoring the market capitalization of Bitcoin, investors and traders can make more informed decisions about when to buy or sell the cryptocurrency, and how to best position themselves to take advantage of market conditions.

6 FAQ

How many Bitcoins are left to mine?

As of my training data cut-off in 2021, there are approximately 18.62 million Bitcoins in circulation out of a maximum of 21 million that can eventually be mined. Currently, it is estimated that there are approximately 2.38 million Bitcoins left to be mined. The pace of mining and the number of new Bitcoins entering circulation each year is determined by the Bitcoin protocol and the mining difficulty, which adjusts to ensure a consistent rate of mining over time. It is worth noting that the rate of mining will continue to slow down over time, eventually reaching a point where no new Bitcoins will be mined. This built-in scarcity is a fundamental aspect of the Bitcoin design and contributes to its perceived value as a store of value and means of exchange.

Are there only 21 million Bitcoins?

Yes, there are only 21 million Bitcoins that will ever exist. This number was set by the creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto, in the original Bitcoin white paper as a way to control the supply and ensure that the currency remains deflationary over time. The 21 million limit is hard-coded into the Bitcoin protocol, and once all 21 million have been mined, no more will ever be created. This finite supply is a key factor in Bitcoin’s design and is what sets it apart from traditional fiat currencies that can be inflated by central banks.

Who owns the most Bitcoin?

The exact identity of the individual or entity that owns the most Bitcoin is not publicly known. The decentralized nature of the cryptocurrency means that ownership is determined by whoever holds the private keys to the corresponding wallet addresses. While some addresses may be associated with known individuals or entities, many are held anonymously. It’s worth noting that it’s possible for an individual to hold multiple addresses and therefore have a larger overall ownership stake than is immediately apparent.

How long until all Bitcoin is mined?

The exact time it will take to mine all 21 million Bitcoins is difficult to predict as it depends on several factors such as mining difficulty, network hashing power, and block times. However, it is estimated that the last Bitcoin block will be mined around the year 2140.

It is important to note that Bitcoin mining is designed to slow down over time, with the mining reward halving approximately every four years. Currently, the mining reward is 6.25 Bitcoins per block, but this amount will decrease to 3.125 Bitcoins per block after the next halving, which is estimated to occur in 2024.

As mining rewards decrease and the number of Bitcoins in circulation increases, the mining process will eventually become uneconomical for most miners. This is a deliberate design feature of the Bitcoin protocol, intended to control the supply and ultimately preserve the value of the currency.

7 Conclusion

To understand the significance of Bitcoin, it is essential to know how many bitcoins exist in the world. The total supply of bitcoins is capped at 21 million, making it a finite and scarce asset. This scarcity has a significant impact on its value and the market, making it a valuable investment opportunity for those who understand the market dynamics.

The current number of bitcoins in circulation stands at just over 18 million, which means there are only a few million left to be mined. As more bitcoins are mined, the difficulty of mining increases, making it more challenging and expensive to obtain new bitcoins.

Lastly, understanding the total supply of bitcoins is crucial in appreciating its value and potential impact on the market. The finite and scarce nature of bitcoins is what makes it such a valuable asset, and those who understand this will be well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities it presents.

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