Halving
A halving is the event that cuts the Bitcoin miner reward for a new block in half. It happens every 210,000 blocks, which is roughly every four years.
How it works
New bitcoins only appear as a reward to miners for finding a block. The rule is written into the code: every 210,000 blocks the reward is divided by two. A block is found about every 10 minutes, so 210,000 blocks take about four years.
In 2009 the reward was 50 BTC. After the 2012, 2016 and 2020 halvings it fell to 25, 12.5 and 6.25 BTC. The April 2024 halving cut it to 3.125 BTC, and the next one is expected around 2028. That is why there will never be more than 21 million bitcoins.
A halving cuts the flow of new coins in half and hits miner income: less efficient miners may switch off their machines. Many people link halvings to price rallies, but that is not a law. The market knows the date in advance, and demand and the wider economy matter too.
Before the April 2024 halving, miners earned 6.25 BTC per block, about 900 BTC a day (144 blocks × 6.25). After it they earned 3.125 BTC per block, about 450 BTC a day. New supply halved from one block to the next.
The main mistake is buying before a halving sure that price must go up. Everyone knows the date ahead of time, and in the first months after past halvings price behaved differently each time. Base your decision on your own plan and risk, not on a date in the calendar.
Questions and answers
What is a Bitcoin halving in simple terms?
It is the moment miners start getting half as many new bitcoins per block. It slows down how fast new coins are created.
When is the next Bitcoin halving?
Around 2028, at block 1,050,000. The exact date depends on how fast blocks are found, and the reward will drop to 1.5625 BTC.
Does the price go up after a halving?
After past halvings price rose over time, but that is not a guarantee. The market prices in the date early, and many other factors move price.
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Updated: 2026-10-19