Cryptocurrencies have reshaped the financial world, and none has been more influential than Bitcoin (BTC). Since its launch in 2009 by the mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin has attracted investors, miners, and technology enthusiasts worldwide. One of the most frequently asked questions by both beginners and experts alike is: how many Bitcoin are left to mine? This question is not only important for miners but also for traders and long-term investors who want to understand the scarcity and future supply of the world’s first cryptocurrency.
In this article, we’ll explore the current Bitcoin supply, how the mining process works, when all Bitcoin will be mined, and what this means for the future of cryptocurrency.
Understanding Bitcoin’s Limited Supply
Unlike traditional fiat currencies such as the US dollar or Pakistani rupee, Bitcoin was designed with a fixed maximum supply. Only 21 million Bitcoins will ever exist, making it a scarce digital asset similar to gold. This built-in scarcity is one of the main reasons Bitcoin is often referred to as “digital gold” and why its value has steadily increased over the years.
Every new Bitcoin is created through a process called mining, where miners solve complex mathematical problems to verify transactions on the blockchain. As a reward, miners receive newly minted Bitcoin. However, this reward gradually decreases over time due to an event called the halving.
How Many Bitcoin Have Been Mined So Far?
As of 2025, around 19.65 million Bitcoin have already been mined. This means that more than 93% of the total supply is already in circulation. That leaves approximately 1.35 million Bitcoin left to mine until the supply cap of 21 million is reached.
This figure changes daily because new blocks are being mined every ten minutes on average. Each block currently releases 3.125 BTC after the latest halving in April 2024. This reduced block reward means the remaining supply will be mined at a slower pace compared to Bitcoin’s early years.
What is Bitcoin Halving and Why Does It Matter?
Bitcoin’s design includes a halving event every 210,000 blocks, which happens roughly every four years. During a halving, the block reward that miners receive is cut in half.
In 2009, the reward started at 50 BTC per block.
In 2012, it dropped to 25 BTC.
In 2016, it went down to 12.5 BTC.
In 2020, it decreased again to 6.25 BTC.
In April 2024, the most recent halving reduced the reward to 3.125 BTC.
The next halving, expected around 2028, will cut rewards further to 1.5625 BTC per block. This continuous reduction ensures that the supply of Bitcoin becomes scarcer over time, making it harder and slower to mine the remaining coins.
When Will the Last Bitcoin Be Mined?
Although most Bitcoin has already been mined, the final Bitcoin is projected to be mined around the year 2140. The reason it will take more than a century to mine the remaining 1.35 million coins is due to the halving mechanism, which keeps reducing mining rewards until they approach zero.
After 2140, no new Bitcoins will enter circulation. Miners will continue to be incentivized through transaction fees rather than block rewards, ensuring the network remains secure and operational.
Why Does Bitcoin Scarcity Affect Its Value?
Scarcity is a fundamental principle of economics: when supply is limited and demand increases, the value of the asset usually rises. Because only 21 million Bitcoin can ever exist, this hard cap ensures that Bitcoin is deflationary in nature. Unlike fiat currencies, which can be printed endlessly by central banks, Bitcoin’s controlled supply makes it attractive as a store of value.
This scarcity, combined with growing adoption among individuals, businesses, and even governments, has played a significant role in driving up Bitcoin’s price. Investors often ask “how many Bitcoin are left to mine” because the fewer coins remain, the more valuable each mined Bitcoin becomes.
What Happens After All Bitcoin Are Mined?
Many newcomers to cryptocurrency wonder what will happen once the final Bitcoin has been mined. The answer lies in Bitcoin’s transaction fee model. Even after all 21 million BTC are mined, miners will continue earning rewards through transaction fees paid by users. These fees act as an incentive to maintain the blockchain, validate transactions, and secure the network against fraud or attacks.
So while no new coins will be created, the Bitcoin ecosystem will remain functional and sustainable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bitcoin are left to mine today?
As of 2025, around 1.35 million BTC remain to be mined out of the maximum 21 million.
How many Bitcoin are lost forever?
It’s estimated that 3–4 million Bitcoin have been lost due to forgotten passwords, lost private keys, or destroyed hard drives. This means the actual circulating supply is lower than the official figure.
Can Bitcoin’s supply be changed?
No. The Bitcoin protocol is built on a decentralized consensus, and changing the 21 million cap would require overwhelming support from the global network of users and miners, which is highly unlikely.
Conclusion: The Future of Bitcoin Mining
So, how many Bitcoin are left to mine? As of 2025, just about 1.35 million coins remain, with the final Bitcoin expected to be mined by the year 2140. This limited supply makes Bitcoin one of the scarcest digital assets in existence, and its halving cycles ensure that scarcity only increases with time.
For miners, this means rewards will keep shrinking, making mining more competitive and dependent on transaction fees in the long run. For investors, Bitcoin’s limited supply represents an opportunity, as scarcity has historically driven value growth.
Ultimately, understanding Bitcoin’s supply dynamics not only answers the question of how many Bitcoin are left to mine but also highlights why Bitcoin continues to attract attention as a revolutionary financial asset.
