No, Bitcoin (BTC) will not run out.
Bitcoin is designed to have a maximum supply of 21 million coins. This scarcity is built into the protocol by its creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. The process of creating new bitcoins, known as mining, is halved approximately every four years in an event called the “halving.” This means that the rate at which new bitcoins are produced decreases over time until it reaches the maximum supply of 21 million coins. As of now, around 18.7 million bitcoins have been mined, leaving approximately 2.3 million bitcoins left to be mined.
Once all 21 million bitcoins have been mined, no more new bitcoins will be created. However, even after all bitcoins have been mined, transactions can still occur on the network as bitcoins are divisible into smaller units called satoshis. Therefore, while new bitcoins will no longer be created, the existing supply can still be used for transactions and other purposes.
Bitcoin’s scarcity is one of the key features that contribute to its value proposition as a store of value and digital gold. The limited supply of bitcoins contrasts with traditional fiat currencies that can be printed indefinitely by central banks, potentially leading to inflation.
In conclusion, Bitcoin will not run out as there will always be a finite supply of 21 million coins, with mechanisms in place to ensure the controlled release of new bitcoins until that limit is reached.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Investopedia
CoinDesk
These sources were consulted to provide accurate and up-to-date information on Bitcoin’s maximum supply and mining process. Bitcoin.org is the official website for Bitcoin, providing technical details about the cryptocurrency. Investopedia offers comprehensive financial content, including explanations of complex financial topics like Bitcoin mining and supply. CoinDesk is a leading cryptocurrency news outlet that covers developments in the industry and provides insights into Bitcoin-related topics.