Bitcoin, the digital currency that has shaken up the financial world, is often shrouded in mystery. One of the most intriguing mysteries concerns the limit set at 21 million bitcoins. Why this number, and not one more? This choice is not simply a whim. On the contrary, it is the result of a meticulous and thoughtful calculation. Satoshi Nakamoto, the anonymous creator of Bitcoin, left nothing to chance. Let's dissect together what is hidden behind this number which, at first glance, may seem enigmatic.

A Deliberate Calculation: The Foundations of the Limit

To understand the logic behind this limit, we need to delve into the very mechanism of Bitcoin, the famous mining. This is the process that generates new bitcoins. Satoshi set strict rules to limit their production, and this is where the figure of 21 million comes into play.

  1. The Initial Reward: When Bitcoin was launched, miners were rewarded with 50 bitcoins for each block of transactions validated. This number, too, is no coincidence. Every 210,000 blocks, or roughly every four years, this reward is halved. This is called halving.

  2. A Decreasing Creation: Bitcoins are created at a decreasing rate, and this decay is built into the very code of Bitcoin. The result? If we add up all the block rewards over time, we will never reach more than 21 million bitcoins. Not one more, it's math.

  3. A Calculation That Holds Up: Now, you might ask, why 21 million and not 22 or 30 million? Well, it’s a calculated balance. This number ensures that Bitcoin remains scarce, while still being divisible enough to be useful in everyday transactions.

Why Not More? Scarcity as an Asset

Scarcity has always been a factor in value. Choosing 21 million ensures that Bitcoin remains scarce, just like gold. By setting this limit, Satoshi not only ensured that Bitcoin would never be diluted by excessive supply, but he also created a digital asset with true intrinsic value.

  1. Planned Scarcity: Imagine a world where every good is easily accessible. It would lose value, right? Satoshi understood this fundamental economic principle. With 21 million bitcoins, each one becomes valuable, especially when you know that this limit will never be crossed.

  2. A Symbolic Number?: Some even think that 21 million is not just a pragmatic number. There could be a symbolic aspect behind this choice. In 2008, the world money supply was about 21 trillion dollars. Perhaps Satoshi saw each bitcoin as representing a fraction of this global money supply, although this is only a hypothesis.

Satoshi’s Million Bitcoins: A Planned Disappearance?

Another fascinating element of the Bitcoin mystery is the million bitcoins that Satoshi is said to have mined himself. These bitcoins, which are assumed to have been “lost” or at least never spent, contribute to the appeal of Bitcoin’s scarcity.

  1. The Impact of Lost Bitcoins: If these bitcoins are never used, it reduces the total supply even further. Which further reinforces the idea of ​​Bitcoin as a store of value.

  2. A Calculated Disappearance?: Some believe that Satoshi deliberately chose to disappear, taking these bitcoins with him, to avoid concentrating too much power or influence on the Bitcoin economy. This adds an almost mythical dimension to this 21 million limit.


Ultimately, the 21 million limit isn’t just a number pulled out of thin air. It’s the result of a complex balance of mathematics, economics, and philosophy. It’s also what makes Bitcoin so unique in the digital currency landscape. This limit not only ensures its scarcity, but also its long-term value. And in a world where inflation is a constant threat, knowing that more than 21 million bitcoins will never be created feels reassuring, right?

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Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes. It is not investment advice. Always do your own research before making any financial decisions.

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