I look at this topic of Bitcoin not as an outsider, but as someone who has lived through this journey from the very beginning. The magic number 21 million — sometimes I wonder if Satoshi knew what a ticking time bomb he had placed under the global financial system.

Now there are about 19.5 million coins in circulation, and the remaining ones are being mined more and more slowly. To be honest, this idea of artificial scarcity has always fascinated and at the same time irritated me — it's a direct challenge to bankers who print money whenever they feel like it!

Yes, the entire code is firmly fixed — 21 million and that's it. No additional coins. This is not like central banks with their printing presses! And you know what? I believe that this is the genius of it — to create a digital value that is not subject to inflationary dilution.

Every four years, the reward for miners is halved, and those who hold Bitcoin can only rejoice. But what about the miners? They will work until the year 2140 to receive the last coin! Yet, with each passing year, their labor becomes less and less rewarding — is that fair?

If you think about it, this protocol cannot be changed by anyone. Sometimes I wonder: what if all 21 million end up in the hands of a few percent of the population? Won't there be a new financial elite, only instead of bankers — crypto whales?

In 2024, there will be a new reward halving, and the number of new coins will decrease again. For holders, this is a celebration, but for newcomers? Each halving closes the doors for those who were late. It is no coincidence that they say the best time to buy Bitcoin was 10 years ago, and the second best time is now.

The limit of 21 million is a red line that the crypto community guards like the apple of their eye. And I understand why. After all, it is this hard cap that makes Bitcoin what it is — the digital gold of our era.