This FAQ answers the most common questions about Bitcoin's finite supply, including how many bitcoins are left to mine, the halving schedule, and what happens when all bitcoins are mined.

How many bitcoins are left to mine?

As of 2026, approximately 1.3 million bitcoins are left to be mined out of the maximum supply of 21 million.

This means that about 19.7 million bitcoins have already been mined. The exact number changes as new blocks are mined roughly every 10 minutes. The remaining bitcoins will be released gradually over the next century, with the last bitcoin expected to be mined around the year 2140.

What is the total supply of bitcoins?

The total supply of bitcoins is capped at 21 million, a hard limit encoded in the Bitcoin protocol.

This finite supply is a core feature of Bitcoin, designed to create scarcity and prevent inflation. The 21 million cap includes all bitcoins that will ever exist, including those that have been lost or are inaccessible.

How many bitcoins have been mined so far?

As of 2026, over 19.7 million bitcoins have been mined, leaving roughly 1.3 million to be mined.

This number is updated with each new block. Since the genesis block in 2009, miners have been rewarded with new bitcoins for securing the network. The rate of new bitcoins entering circulation is halved approximately every four years, which slows down the mining of the remaining supply.

What is the Bitcoin halving and how does it affect mining?

The Bitcoin halving is an event that cuts the block reward for miners in half, occurring every 210,000 blocks (about every four years).

This process reduces the rate at which new bitcoins are created, making them more scarce over time. For example, the reward was 50 BTC per block in 2009, then 25 BTC in 2012, 12.5 BTC in 2016, 6.25 BTC in 2020, and 3.125 BTC in 2024. The next halving is expected in 2028, reducing the reward to 1.5625 BTC per block.

When will the last bitcoin be mined?

The last bitcoin is projected to be mined in the year 2140, based on the current halving schedule.

This estimate assumes that the Bitcoin protocol remains unchanged and that block times continue to average around 10 minutes. The block reward will gradually decrease to zero, and miners will be incentivized solely through transaction fees.

Why is there a limit of 21 million bitcoins?

The 21 million cap was designed by Bitcoin's creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, to mimic the scarcity of precious metals like gold and to prevent inflation.

This hard limit ensures that Bitcoin is deflationary, meaning its value is expected to increase over time if demand grows. It also protects against the devaluation that can occur with fiat currencies that can be printed without limit.

What happens when all bitcoins are mined?

When all 21 million bitcoins are mined, miners will no longer receive block rewards and will earn income solely from transaction fees.

This transition could affect the security and economics of the network. Transaction fees may need to increase to incentivize miners to continue processing transactions. However, the network is designed to remain secure as long as miners have sufficient incentives.

How long will it take to mine the remaining bitcoins?

It will take approximately 114 years to mine the remaining 1.3 million bitcoins, with the last bitcoin expected in 2140.

The process is slow because the block reward decreases over time. In the early years, the reward was high, but now it is just 3.125 BTC per block, and it will continue to halve. As a result, the remaining supply will be mined at a decreasing rate.

Final Thoughts

Bitcoin's fixed supply of 21 million is a fundamental aspect of its design, creating scarcity and long-term value. As of 2026, about 1.3 million bitcoins remain to be mined, a number that will slowly dwindle over the next century.

Understanding the mining process, halving events, and the eventual end of new bitcoin creation is crucial for anyone interested in Bitcoin's future. The transition to transaction fee incentives will be a significant milestone, shaping the network's security and economic model.