Key Takeaways
- The last Bitcoin Halving happened in April 2024. The next Bitcoin halving is projected to happen in 2028!
- In the past, Bitcoin halvings have led to increases in the price of BTC and other crypto-assets!
Bitcoin halving dates are one of the most important days in the cryptocurrency ecosystem — typically leading to increased attention from the mainstream press and higher prices for BTC and other digital assets!
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Bitcoin halving dates — including data about BTC’s performance after past halvings!
What is Bitcoin halving?
The Bitcoin halving is a pre-programmed event where the reward for mining BTC is cut in half. The halving mechanism is designed to keep the supply of BTC scarce.
Because of the reduction in the supply of new Bitcoin, halvings typically result in an increase in the price of BTC.
Bitcoin halvings happen every 210,000 blocks, or every four years.
What is the next Bitcoin halving date?
The next Bitcoin halving is scheduled to take place around April 2028. Bitcoin rewards will be cut from 3.125 to 1.5625.
Bitcoin halving chart
Here’s a look at how Bitcoin’s price has changed in recent years, including before and after each halving date.
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How does Bitcoin halving work?
Bitcoin relies on Proof of Work (PoW) to validate transactions. In return for using electricity and computation to solve complex math problems, Bitcoin miners receive new units of BTC.
Bitcoin’s underlying software halves rewards for miners every 210,000 blocks — or approximately every four years — which ensures that the total supply of Bitcoin will never surpass 21 million units.
After each halving event, some miners may be forced to shut down their operations, and the hashrate (computing power) of the Bitcoin network may decrease temporarily. However, reduced supply typically leads to higher prices.
How does the Bitcoin halving impact the wider cryptocurrency market?
In the past, Bitcoin halvings have led to rallies in the wider cryptocurrency market. It’s possible that halvings lead to increased attention on the crypto ecosystem — which in turn leads to higher demand and higher prices for all digital assets.
Should I invest in Bitcoin during a halving?
Historically, Bitcoin halvings have led to an increase in the price of BTC in the short-term.
However, Bitcoin's price saw a slight decline after the 2024 halving. While BTC hit an all-time high before the halving, Bitcoin ETFs saw net outflows in the succeeding months. Investors who tried to buy BTC at the halving saw a decline in their investment.
BTC's price later surged after the 2024 US presidential election, driven by enthusiasm about Donald Trump’s crypto-friendly policies.
If you’re interested in BTC, it’s recommended that you dollar-cost average over time rather than try to find the perfect time to invest. Remember, it’s almost impossible to ‘time the market’ perfectly.
When was the last Bitcoin halving date?
The last Bitcoin halving took place on April 20, 2024. The reward for mining a block of Bitcoin fell from 6.25 to 3.125.
What will happen after the next Bitcoin halving?
Bitcoin halvings reduce the total available supply of BTC. As a result, they’ve typically led to an increase in the price of Bitcoin.
While there was a significant surge in the price of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies after each halving date, it’s important to remember that there are a multitude of factors that determine the price of cryptocurrency — such as global economic factors and regulatory conditions.
For more information, check out our guide on how cryptocurrencies gain value.
What is the significance of the Bitcoin halving?
Remember, Bitcoin is designed to be an alternative to fiat currencies like the US dollar with high levels of inflation. The Bitcoin halving is a necessary event to control the supply of BTC.
Controlled scarcity
Bitcoin halving reduces the block reward given to miners, effectively lowering the rate at which new bitcoins are created. This mechanism is intended to mimic the scarcity of resources like gold.
Increase in value
The halving events decrease the supply of new BTC entering the market. This reduction in new BTC is expected to drive up price, following the basic principles of supply and demand.
Alternative to fiat currencies
Halving events help differentiate Bitcoin from fiat currencies like the US dollar — where supply increases and purchasing power diminishes over time.
Bitcoin halving dates history
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Since Bitcoin’s creation, there have been four halving dates:.
2012 Bitcoin Halving
- Bitcoin reward per block (previous): 50 BTC
- Bitcoin reward per block (new): 25
- Price on halving day: $12.35
- Price 150 days later: $127.00
2016 Bitcoin Halving
- Bitcoin reward per block (previous): 25 BTC
- Bitcoin reward per block (new): 12.5 BTC
- Price on halving day: $650.53
- Price 150 days later: $758.81
2020 Bitcoin Halving
- Bitcoin reward per block (previous): 12.5 BTC
- Bitcoin reward per block (new): 6.25 BTC
- Price on halving day: $8,821.42
- Price 150 days later: $10,943.00
2024 Bitcoin Halving
- Date: April 20, 2024
- Bitcoin reward per block (previous): 6.25 BTC
- Bitcoin reward per block (new): 3.125 BTC
- Price on halving day: $64,994.44
- Price 150 days later: $60,252.95
Frequently asked questions
- How many Bitcoin halvings left?
- Does Bitcoin price go up after halving?
- Is Bitcoin halving every 4 years?
- What date is the next Bitcoin halving?
- Is Bitcoin halving good or bad?
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