What is the maximum supply of Bitcoin?

The maximum supply of Bitcoin is capped at 21 million bitcoins. This limit is built into the Bitcoin protocol by its creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, to introduce scarcity, similar to precious metals like gold. The decision to set this figure at 21 million was influenced by the desire to create a digital currency that would not be subject to inflation due to an unlimited supply and to establish a deflationary economic model.

The mechanism that supports this supply cap is the process of mining, where new bitcoins are generated as miners confirm transactions on the network. The reward for mining is halved approximately every four years in an event known as the "halving," which ensures the rate at which new bitcoins are created decreases over time. This structured deflation leads to a projected completion of the 21 million coins being mined around the year 2140.

Other figures such as 10 million, 50 million, and 100 million are not aligned with the established protocol and would disrupt the designed economic model of Bitcoin, undermining its value as a scarce digital asset.