In this article
The maximum supply of Bitcoin is approximately 21 million BTC. According to data from Blockchain.com as of October 6, 2026, 20,094,550 BTC had been issued, which is about 95.69% of that limit. Approximately 905,450 BTC remain to be issued. This figure is based on the reward schedule and does not represent the actual number of coins available for purchase.
How many bitcoins are in circulation today?
The answer depends on whether you're asking about the maximum supply, the total amount issued to date, or the amount of BTC available on the market:
- Supply limit: approximately 21,000,000 BTC.
- Total supply to date: 20,094,550 BTC, according to Blockchain.com data as of October 6, 2026, at 11:56 p.m. UTC.
- Remaining issuance: approximately 905,450 BTC out of a nominal limit of 21 million.
These values change with each new block. You can find the most recent supply figure on the Blockchain.com chart. The chart calculates the supply based on the theoretical reward specified by the protocol. It does not subtract lost or permanently inaccessible coins.
Where did the 21 million BTC limit come from?
New BTC are created as part of the block reward. The issuance started at 50 BTC per block, and every 210,000 blocks, the reward is halved. This is called a halving. The decreasing issuance and the fact that rewards are calculated in whole satoshis result in a final supply slightly less than exactly 21 million BTC.
These rules are encoded in the software that validates blocks. Neither the exchange operator nor the Bitcoin ATM operator can increase the supply on their own. Changing the rules would require network participants to adopt an amended protocol; this does not mean the consent of literally every single person.
Bitcoin: what is it and how is it "created"?
Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency that operates on a peer-to-peer network. Miners perform calculations using the Proof of Work mechanism and propose new blocks. Other participants verify that these blocks comply with the rules. A miner’s reward consists of newly issued BTC and transaction fees. The fees come from existing coins and do not increase the money supply.
Bitcoin halving: the most important supply mechanism (and why everyone is talking about it)
Starting at block 840,000, the block subsidy is 3.125 BTC. The next halving will occur at block 1,050,000 and reduce it to 1.5625 BTC. It is generally estimated to occur in 2028; the exact date depends on the rate at which blocks are mined.
History of halvings (overview)
- 2009: 50 BTC per block.
- 2012: 25 BTC.
- 2016: 12.5 BTC.
- 2020: 6.25 BTC.
- 2024: 3.125 BTC.
- Block 1,050,000: 1.5625 BTC.
How many bitcoins are created per day in 2026?
With a reward of 3.125 BTC and an average of 144 blocks per day, approximately 450 BTC are created daily. This is an average, not a constant daily increase: the time between blocks varies. Transaction fees are not added to the new BTC.
When will the last bitcoin be mined?
According to the issuance schedule, the reward in new coins will drop to zero around the year 2140. This is an estimate based on the block time target. The final reward will be a fraction of a BTC, not a whole bitcoin.
What will happen when all BTC has been mined?
The protocol provides for miners to continue receiving transaction fees once issuance ceases. This does not guarantee future revenue, security, or the price of BTC. The supply limit alone does not guarantee an increase in value.
Are all mined bitcoins actually available?
No. Some coins are inaccessible due to lost keys or the structure of the transactions; others remain in wallets for years. We do not know the exact number of lost BTC. A long period of inactivity for an address does not prove that the coins have been lost. Therefore, the total supply issued to date, the spendable supply, and the number of BTC available on the market are different figures.
Bitcoin ATMs and the 21 million BTC limit – what does this change in practice?
A purchase at a Bitcoin ATM involves exchanging cash for existing BTC; the machine does not create new bitcoins. You do not have to buy a whole BTC: 1 BTC is divided into 100,000,000 satoshis. However, the minimum transaction amount and fees depend on the operator.
Find a Bitcoin ATM and check its terms and conditions or read the guide on choosing a wallet. Bitomat.com is an aggregator of location information; the transaction is processed by the device operator.
FAQ: frequently asked questions about the number of bitcoins
How many bitcoins are there in the world?
The nominal limit is 21 million BTC. Data from Blockchain.com as of October 6, 2026, shows that 20,094,550 BTC have been issued to date. This does not mean that all of these coins are available for spending.
How many bitcoins are left to mine?
Approximately 905,450 BTC according to the same reading, out of a nominal limit of 21 million. With each subsequent block, the amount remaining to be issued decreases.
What is the reward for a block in 2026?
The block subsidy is 3.125 BTC. Miners also receive transaction fees, which are not new coins.
When is the next halving?
At block 1,050,000, estimated to be in 2028. The exact date has not been set on the calendar.
Sources and Update Process
Supply data: Blockchain.com — Total Circulating Bitcoin, data point from October 6, 2026. Issuance rules: Bitcoin Core — GetBlockSubsidy and Bitcoin.org — BTC creation. The counter in this article is a snapshot; it does not update automatically.
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