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The Bitcoin Layer

Teaching Bitcoin Part 3: How Bitcoin’s Supply Is Fixed

Sep 25, 2024
Michael Howell, a Bitcoin expert, shares his insights on Bitcoin's fixed supply and mining dynamics. He explains the significance of Bitcoin's cap of 21 million coins as a hedge against inflation. The discussion delves into network security, the role of individual nodes, and potential threats like a 51% attack. Howell also examines the impact of government actions and the rise of ETFs while considering Bitcoin's future role as collateral in finance. Additionally, he contrasts Bitcoin's stability with increasing government debt.
01:09:21

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Bitcoin's capped supply of 21 million coins safeguards against inflation and motivates network participants to uphold its integrity.
  • The proof-of-work mining mechanism is essential for Bitcoin's security and determines the rate of new coin creation while deterring malicious attacks.

Deep dives

Bitcoin's Limited Supply and Integrity

Bitcoin's total supply is capped at 21 million coins, making it a unique asset in the realm of cryptocurrencies. This limited supply acts as a safeguard against inflation, appealing to investors looking for stable, long-term value retention. The integrity of Bitcoin as an asset is underlined by the consensus among the network participants to maintain these core rules, which were established by its creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. With a defined supply, the economic participants are further motivated to validate and support the network, reducing the chances of malicious attacks.

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