The concept of burning digital currencies
Burning cryptocurrency is the process of getting rid of a certain amount of cryptocurrency by sending it to an address.
An inaccessible wallet (i.e. a “burn address”), meaning it cannot be used or recovered later. The purpose of this
The process is to reduce the circulating supply of a currency, thereby increasing its value, or maintaining its value in the markets.
How are cryptocurrencies burned?
Send coins to burn address:
The coins are sent to a random wallet address that does not have a private key, meaning that these coins cannot be retrieved or used.
This is usually done by interacting with the coin's smart contract or by sending the coin directly to an address known as "burning".
Using smart contracts:
Many currencies rely on smart contracts to automatically execute burn operations. These contracts control the reduction of the currency supply according to certain rules, such as burning a portion of the currency in each transaction.
Burning the coin periodically:
Some projects follow a periodic burning strategy, such as burning a portion of the available coins every month or every quarter, which helps maintain their value in the long term.
Effects of burning on digital currencies
Increase in currency value:
When the supply of a currency is reduced, it can have a positive effect on the price of the currency if the demand is sustained or increases.
For example, Bitcoin uses a hashing mechanism that reduces the supply of the currency over time, a factor that affects its price increase.
Motivating investors and the community:
Burning can increase excitement among investors and the community in general, as they have a sense that the value of the coin will increase as the supply is reduced.
Promote the principle of scarcity:
In cryptocurrencies, as in any other market, scarcity is one of the factors that drives demand. The less supply of a currency, the more likely it is that its value will increase.
Examples of burning in famous coins
Bitcoin (BTC):
Although Bitcoin does not use direct burning, the process of hashing (periodic reduction of rewards) results in a reduction in the supply over time, which is similar in effect to burning.
Result: The value of the currency increases over time due to a reduction in supply.
Shiba Inu (SHIB):
Shiba Inu is one of the most popular meme coins that relies heavily on burning. In some cases, billions of SHIB coins are burned in token operations aimed at reducing the total supply.
Result: Continuous burning helps reduce the circulating supply, which increases demand for the coin, leading to a potential increase in value.
Examples of coins that are not burned but still increase supply
Ethereum (ETH):
Although Ethereum does not primarily rely on a burning mechanism, it does see an increase in supply through the process of issuing staking rewards.
Result: Despite the increase in supply, demand has been maintained thanks to technologies such as EIP-1559 which offers a partial burn mechanism for transaction fees.
Dogecoin (DOGE):
Dogecoin is based on the Proof of Work mechanism like Bitcoin, which means more coins are constantly being issued through mining.
Conclusion: Despite the lack of a burn mechanism, Dogecoin remains in the spotlight due to community support and media attention, which helps maintain its value.
Effects on value if not burned
Increase supply:
In the absence of a burn, the circulating supply of the currency remains the same or may increase over time, which can lead to a decrease in value due to inflation.
The project's inability to attract investments:
Without a burning mechanism, it may be difficult for the project to maintain its appeal to investors who are looking for projects with mechanisms aimed at increasing the value of the coin over the long term.
Negative pressure on price:
If the supply continues to increase without being burned, the price of the coin may fall due to the large supply not matching the demand.
Conclusion
Burning is an important mechanism in the digital world that aims to reduce the supply of currencies and increase their value. Burning strategies vary between different projects, but their effects are similar in enhancing the value of the currency and supporting confidence in it. Currencies such as Bitcoin and Shiba Inu show the effects of burning by reducing the supply, which helps increase demand. Conversely, not implementing burning may lead to a decrease in value due to an increase in supply, as we see in Dogecoin and Ethereum.
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