#StablecoinPayments
**Bitcoin (BTC) halving** is an event that occurs approximately every four years, where the reward that miners receive for adding a new block to the blockchain is cut in half. This is a key part of Bitcoin's monetary policy and helps control the supply of new bitcoins entering circulation.
### Key Points:
- **When it happens**: Every 210,000 blocks (roughly every 4 years).
- **Why it matters**: It reduces the rate at which new bitcoins are created, making BTC scarcer over time.
- **Initial reward**: Started at 50 BTC per block in 2009.
- **Recent halvings**:
- 2012: Reward reduced to 25 BTC
- 2016: Reduced to 12.5 BTC
- 2020: Reduced to 6.25 BTC
- 2024 (most recent): Reduced to 3.125 BTC
### Effects of Halving:
- **Scarcity**: Increases scarcity, potentially boosting price over time if demand remains steady or grows.
- **Miner impact**: Lowers miners’ revenue, possibly pushing out less efficient operations.
- **Market speculation**: Often accompanied by price volatility before and after the event.
Would you like an infographic or timeline summarizing the halvings?