Bitcoin's total supply is capped at 21 million BTC, of which about 19.6 million have been mined as of May 2025. This leaves approximately 1.4 million BTC to be mined slowly over the next century due to an exponential issuance schedule, governed by reward halvings that occur approximately every four years. While 99% of Bitcoin is expected to be mined by 2035, the final fraction won't be completed until around 2140. Additionally, a substantial number of BTC—estimated between 3.0 and 3.8 million—are lost and permanently out of circulation due to various reasons, meaning the true circulating supply could be closer to 16-17 million. Bitcoin's built-in mining difficulty adjustment helps maintain network security, ensuring miners adjust to profitability despite shrinking rewards. Renewables are increasingly being utilized in Bitcoin mining, making it less reliant on fossil fuels. As Bitcoin matures, its characteristics parallel those of traditional commodities like gold, with its diminishing supply potentially leading to increased price volatility and higher long-term value concentration among active holders.

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