Bitcoin (BTC) Scarcity Remains the Most Defining Feature of the Top Coin

The limited supply of Bitcoin has long been discussed among investors and enthusiasts. Now, a recent statement from Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley has brought fresh attention

Key Notes:

* The limited supply of Bitcoin (BTC), the largest digital asset, has long been a subject of discussion among investors and enthusiasts.

* Now, Bitwise CEO Hunter Horsley has brought fresh attention to what many consider the most defining feature of the top coin, its scarcity.

* In a recent post on X, Horsley compared Bitcoin's fixed supply to other traditional stores of value such as fiat currencies and gold.

* "Bitcoin is the scarcest store of value in the world today —

Annual rates of supply increase:

* Global fiat monies: 14% (over last 60 yrs)

* US money: 7.4% (over last 60 yrs)

* Gold: 1.5-2%

* Bitcoin: 0.84% (and declining)

That means that supply of global fiat doubles every ~5 yrs!"

* Over the past 60 years, the global fiat monetary base has grown by 14% annually. In the United States, the annual increase stands at around 7.4%.

* By contrast, gold's supply rises much more slowly, at an estimated 1.5% to 2% per year.

* On the other hand, Bitcoin has a 0.84% supply increase, which is set to decline even further.

* With over 19.8 million out of 21 million Bitcoin units already mined, the remaining 6% will take forever to mine.

* Global fiat money doubles yearly, US money every ten years, and gold every 36 to 48 years, but the Bitcoin supply is nearly fixed, which makes it unique.

* Economists at a recent Bitwise event drove the point home, which had a strong impact as many already understand Bitcoin scarcity.

Public and Corporate Demand Continues to Climb

* Around 165,000 new BTC will mine in 2025. In the first quarter of the year alone, public companies bought 95,000 BTC, which represents over half of the new supply for the entire year.

* The growing appetite is not limited to listed firms. Tether, Bitfinex, and SoftBank recently announced a new venture called Twenty One. The business plans to hold 42,000 BTC worth nearly $4 billion on its balance sheet.

* Earlier reports by Coinspeaker revealed that Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR), a known institutional supporter of Bitcoin, added 15,355 BTC worth $1.4 billion to its Bitcoin holdings just last week.

* Also, Nasdaq-listed company Semler Scientific (NASDAQ:SCLE) recently increased its Bitcoin holdings with an additional purchase of 165 BTC. This brings its total to 3,467 BTC, valued at over $330 million.

* Bitwise's Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan revealed that spot Bitcoin ETFs saw $3.3 billion in inflows in the past week alone.

* Meanwhile, Strategy Chair Michael Saylor believes demand will only accelerate once banks give their backing.

* Still, as supply tightens and demand rises, discussion of Bitcoin scarcity is reaching new heights.

* Many speculate this could propel the largest cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, beyond its digital gold narrative and place it alongside gold as a leading asset in the financial market.

At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at $94,147, down 1.17%.