This FAQ covers the frequently asked questions about the total supply of Ethereum, including its current circulating supply, maximum supply, issuance rate, and comparisons with Bitcoin. It provides clear, factual answers to help you understand Ethereum's monetary policy and supply dynamics as of 2026.

How many Ethereum are there in total?

As of early 2026, the total supply of Ethereum is approximately 120 million ETH. This includes all Ether that has been mined or staked through the proof-of-stake consensus mechanism, minus any ETH that has been burned through transaction fees.

Unlike Bitcoin, Ethereum does not have a hard cap on its total supply. The supply changes over time based on network activity and the implementation of EIP-1559, which burns a portion of transaction fees. The exact number fluctuates daily, so it's best to check current data from reliable sources like Etherscan.

What is the maximum supply of Ethereum?

Ethereum does not have a fixed maximum supply. Unlike Bitcoin, which has a hard cap of 21 million coins, Ethereum's supply is designed to be dynamic and can increase or decrease over time.

The network uses a combination of new issuance to validators and burning of transaction fees to manage supply. If more ETH is burned than issued, the total supply can decrease, making Ethereum deflationary. As of 2026, the supply is not capped, and it may never be capped, as the community has not proposed a hard limit.

How many Ethereum are in circulation right now?

The current circulating supply of Ethereum is approximately 120 million ETH as of early 2026. This figure represents all ETH that is available and not locked in contracts or burned.

Circulating supply changes every block due to validator rewards and fee burning. You can view the live circulating supply on blockchain explorers like Etherscan or CoinMarketCap. It's important to note that 'circulating supply' typically excludes ETH that is locked in staking contracts or burned, but includes all other ETH held by individuals and entities.

How many Ethereum are mined per day?

Ethereum no longer uses mining; it transitioned to proof-of-stake in September 2022. Instead of mining, new ETH is issued to validators who stake their coins. The issuance rate is variable and depends on the total amount of ETH staked.

As of 2026, the annual issuance is roughly 0.5% of the total supply, which translates to about 600,000 ETH per year, or approximately 1,644 ETH per day. This rate can change as the network adjusts based on the total staked supply. For the most accurate daily issuance, check current network metrics.

Why is the supply of Ethereum not fixed like Bitcoin?

Ethereum's supply is not fixed because it is designed to be adaptable to network needs. The protocol adjusts issuance based on the total amount staked and burns fees to manage inflation.

The lack of a hard cap allows Ethereum to maintain security and incentivize participation without a predetermined limit. This design was chosen to support a flexible monetary policy that can respond to changing conditions. While some argue for a cap, the community has not reached a consensus to change this.

How does Ethereum's supply compare to Bitcoin's?

Ethereum's supply is significantly larger than Bitcoin's. Bitcoin has a hard cap of 21 million coins, while Ethereum's supply is around 120 million and growing or shrinking depending on network activity.

Bitcoin's issuance halves every four years, leading to a deflationary model, whereas Ethereum's issuance is dynamic and can be inflationary or deflationary. As of 2026, Ethereum's inflation rate is lower than Bitcoin's due to burning, but the total supply is still much higher. This difference impacts their respective scarcity narratives and investment profiles.

Can the total supply of Ethereum decrease?

Yes, the total supply of Ethereum can decrease. This occurs when the amount of ETH burned through transaction fees exceeds the amount newly issued to validators.

Since the implementation of EIP-1559 in August 2021, a base fee is burned with every transaction. When network activity is high, more ETH is burned, potentially making the supply deflationary. This has happened on several occasions, and as of 2026, the supply can be deflationary during periods of high usage.

What is the current inflation rate of Ethereum?

As of early 2026, Ethereum's inflation rate is approximately 0.5% annually, but it can be negative during periods of high network activity.

The inflation rate is determined by the difference between new issuance to validators and the amount of ETH burned. When burning exceeds issuance, the network becomes deflationary. To find the current rate, you can check analytics sites like Ultrasound Money or Watch the Burn, which track real-time supply changes.