Diyana on Nostr: That’s one of the biggest mysteries: Why did Satoshi choose 21 million as ...
That’s one of the biggest mysteries: Why did Satoshi choose 21 million as Bitcoin’s fixed supply?
Some say it was random, but knowing how precise Satoshi was, it’s likely there was a deeper logic behind it.
Possible Explanations:
1️⃣ Mathematical Balance:
The total supply (21M) aligns with Bitcoin’s block reward schedule and halving cycles.
Every 10 minutes, a new block is mined, and the rewards halve approximately every 4 years—leading to the eventual exhaustion of all BTC around the year 2140.
2️⃣ Monetary Comparison:
Some theories suggest 21 million was chosen to create a rough parity with global money supply metrics.
If Bitcoin were to replace fiat, each BTC could represent a meaningful unit of purchasing power.
3️⃣ Blackjack Theory (21 = Winning Hand?)
Maybe Satoshi had a sense of humor and picked 21 because it’s the perfect score in blackjack—a game of chance, strategy, and calculated risk.
It could symbolize the perfect number to beat the house (central banks and inflationary money).
4️⃣ Computer Science Constraints
Some speculate 21M was a practical choice for computational efficiency, using powers of 2 in Bitcoin’s code structure.
The smallest Bitcoin unit, a Satoshi (0.00000001 BTC), ensures there are enough divisible units for transactions worldwide.
5️⃣ Biblical & Mystical Numerology
21 is seen in religious and mystical traditions as a number of completion and perfection.
Some believe Satoshi encoded deeper meaning into Bitcoin’s design.
---
The Final Mystery
Satoshi never explicitly answered why 21 million, and maybe that’s the point.
Bitcoin is full of elegant mysteries—just like its creator.
What do you think—was it a mathematical necessity, a hidden joke, or something more?
Some say it was random, but knowing how precise Satoshi was, it’s likely there was a deeper logic behind it.
Possible Explanations:
1️⃣ Mathematical Balance:
The total supply (21M) aligns with Bitcoin’s block reward schedule and halving cycles.
Every 10 minutes, a new block is mined, and the rewards halve approximately every 4 years—leading to the eventual exhaustion of all BTC around the year 2140.
2️⃣ Monetary Comparison:
Some theories suggest 21 million was chosen to create a rough parity with global money supply metrics.
If Bitcoin were to replace fiat, each BTC could represent a meaningful unit of purchasing power.
3️⃣ Blackjack Theory (21 = Winning Hand?)
Maybe Satoshi had a sense of humor and picked 21 because it’s the perfect score in blackjack—a game of chance, strategy, and calculated risk.
It could symbolize the perfect number to beat the house (central banks and inflationary money).
4️⃣ Computer Science Constraints
Some speculate 21M was a practical choice for computational efficiency, using powers of 2 in Bitcoin’s code structure.
The smallest Bitcoin unit, a Satoshi (0.00000001 BTC), ensures there are enough divisible units for transactions worldwide.
5️⃣ Biblical & Mystical Numerology
21 is seen in religious and mystical traditions as a number of completion and perfection.
Some believe Satoshi encoded deeper meaning into Bitcoin’s design.
---
The Final Mystery
Satoshi never explicitly answered why 21 million, and maybe that’s the point.
Bitcoin is full of elegant mysteries—just like its creator.
What do you think—was it a mathematical necessity, a hidden joke, or something more?