Bitcoin halving is a programmed event occurring roughly every four years or after 210,000 blocks, reducing the block reward miners receive by half. This mechanism, coded into Bitcoin’s protocol, controls its supply issuance, capping the total at 21 million BTC. By decreasing the rate of new BTC creation, halving aims to enhance scarcity, potentially increasing value if demand remains or grows. The most recent halving, the fourth, occurred on April 19, 2024, cutting the reward from 6.25 to 3.125 BTC per block. Historically, halvings (2012, 2016, 2020) have preceded price surges, though past performance isn’t guaranteed. Miners face reduced revenue, pushing less efficient operations out, while the network’s security relies on transaction fees and remaining rewards. The next halving is expected around 2028.
