Can Bitcoin’s hard cap of 21 million be changed?

A hard cap is the maximum supply of a cryptocurrency, hardcoded into its blockchain, ensuring scarcity and potentially increasing value over time. Bitcoin is capped at 21 million, similar to digital gold, and this feature is crucial in distinguishing it from other assets. The ongoing debates about changing this cap, however, reveal the community's vested interest in maintaining Bitcoin's principles. Historical discussions around inflation, transaction fees, and block sizes indicate that any proposal to alter the hard cap would likely face immense opposition, resulting in a loss of trust and potential market panic. The repercussions would include a hard fork, where factions of the community might create competing versions of Bitcoin. Ultimately, while theoretically possible to change Bitcoin's hard cap, the practical implications suggest that such a change is highly unlikely. The current cap remains a fundamental aspect of Bitcoin’s identity as a scarce asset, shaping its value and appeal in the digital financial landscape.

Source 🔗