Post
Topic
Board Bitcoin Discussion
Re: Max Number of Bitcoins - Then What
by
Garrett Burgwardt
on 24/04/2011, 14:54:24 UTC
Hey guys

MB this has been approached already, but I couldn't find it on the forums.

What happens when we reach maximum allocation of BitCoins?

Currently there are about 6m coins in circulation. I believe the maximum is 21m. I don't know the rate of creation, but I read somewhere than theoretically in 50 years time all the coins that can ever be created will be in circulation.

Question is: What then

At the moment, the nodes supporting the network are incentivised because they get paid a certain amount of coins per transaction, which they are allowed to create.

However when #BTC = 21m, nodes will not be allowed to create any more BTC.

So what incentives are there at that point for nodes to continue supporting the system?
Bitcoins will always be created.

That is incorrect, after slightly less than 21 million have been created, blocks will stop having a reward.