Scarcity and halving

Card 73

Scarcity and halving
Card 73
Topic 6 · Scarcity and halving · Navigator

When are the last new bitcoin expected to be issued through mining?

Card answer

Correct answer

Answer D: Around 2140

Detailed explanation

Bitcoin's new issuance halves every 210,000 blocks. Because the base unit cannot be divided indefinitely, the permitted block subsidy eventually reaches zero satoshis. The card places this at approximately the year 2140.

That year is an estimate based on the issuance schedule and average block intervals. The block height reached is decisive; the protocol does not promise a particular calendar date for creating the last new satoshi.

The end of new issuance does not automatically mean the end of transactions or mining. Fees consist of existing bitcoin and can still go to miners. How mining is economically funded in the long term is separate from the rule governing new issuance.

Sources used

Primary source · EN · Beginner-friendly

FAQ – Bitcoin

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Supplementary source · EN · Technical source

Bitcoin Core - GetBlockSubsidy

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This source is mainly intended for developers. The relevant information may therefore be harder to find.

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