Bitcoin Scarcity: Why It Matters & Who Is Buying It Up
Bitcoin isn’t just another digital asset—it’s the scarcest financial asset in the world. Unlike fiat currencies that can be printed endlessly by governments, Bitcoin has a fixed supply of 21 million coins—and that’s what makes it so valuable. But as more institutions, corporations, and even governments start buying up Bitcoin, its scarcity is becoming even more pronounced.
So, why does Bitcoin’s scarcity matter? Who is accumulating massive amounts of Bitcoin? And what does this mean for the future price? Let’s break it down.
Bitcoin’s Fixed Supply: Why Scarcity Creates Value
Bitcoin is unique in that it has a hard cap of 21 million coins, coded into its protocol by its mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Once all 21 million Bitcoin have been mined (estimated around the year 2140), no more will ever be created.
🔹 Unlike fiat money, Bitcoin can’t be printed or inflated. Governments can create trillions of dollars out of thin air, but Bitcoin remains scarce. 🔹 Every four years, Bitcoin becomes even more scarce due to the halving. The next Bitcoin halving in April 2024 will reduce the number of new Bitcoin entering circulation, further limiting supply. 🔹 Millions of Bitcoin are already lost forever. It’s estimated that between 3 to 5 million Bitcoin are lost due to forgotten passwords, lost wallets, and accidental deletions, making the available supply even lower.
This built-in scarcity is what makes Bitcoin a powerful store of value, often compared to digital gold—but even more scarce and easier to transfer.
Who Is Buying Up Bitcoin? (Hint: Big Players Are Moving In)
Over the past few years, large institutions, billionaires, and even governments have been accumulating Bitcoin at an aggressive pace. Here’s who is leading the charge:
1. Michael Saylor & MicroStrategy
If there’s one name synonymous with Bitcoin accumulation, it’s Michael Saylor, the co-founder and executive chairman of MicroStrategy. Since 2020, he has turned his company into a Bitcoin-holding powerhouse.
✔️ MicroStrategy holds over 190,000 BTC (worth more than $9 billion at today’s prices). ✔️ Saylor believes Bitcoin is the ultimate store of value and prefers it over cash or gold. ✔️ The company continues to buy more Bitcoin, often taking advantage of market dips.
2. Governments & States Are Buying Bitcoin
Countries are beginning to recognize Bitcoin as a strategic asset and are quietly adding it to their reserves.
✔️ El Salvador became the first country to make Bitcoin legal tender and has been buying Bitcoin consistently. ✔️ Hong Kong is making moves to become a Bitcoin-friendly financial hub.✔️ Texas and Wyoming are leading the charge in the U.S. with pro-Bitcoin policies, encouraging businesses to hold and use Bitcoin as a treasury reserve asset. ✔️ Other countries and financial institutions are watching closely, as Bitcoin’s role in global finance grows.
The Bitcoin ETFs: Wall Street Is Moving In
One of the biggest recent developments is the approval of Bitcoin Spot ETFs, which allow traditional investors to buy Bitcoin through regulated stock market products.
✔️ BlackRock, Fidelity, and Grayscale now offer Bitcoin ETFs, making it easier for hedge funds, pension funds, and institutional investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin. ✔️ These ETFs require real Bitcoin to back them up, meaning large amounts of Bitcoin are being purchased and held in cold storage. ✔️ As demand for these ETFs increases, the available supply of Bitcoin shrinks further—making scarcity an even bigger factor.
Most Bitcoin is not even available for purchase
The Bitcoin Reserve: Why There’s Less BTC Available Than You Think
The reality is, most Bitcoin is not even available for purchase.
✔️ Over 68% of all Bitcoin is held by long-term investors who are unlikely to sell anytime soon. ✔️ Only a tiny fraction of Bitcoin is actively traded on exchanges—meaning the actual liquid supply is much lower than the total 21 million coins. ✔️ As more institutions, governments, and ETFs lock up Bitcoin in reserves, scarcity will drive prices even higher.
What Does This Mean for Bitcoin’s Price? 📈
Historically, Bitcoin’s price has surged after every halving due to reduced supply and increasing demand. Here’s what past cycles have looked like:
📌 2012 Halving: Bitcoin was $12 → surged to $1,000 within a year. 📌 2016 Halving: Bitcoin was $650 → skyrocketed to $20,000 by the end of 2017. 📌 2020 Halving: Bitcoin was $8,500 → hit an all-time high of $69,000 in 2021. 📌 2024 Halving (Upcoming): Many experts believe this cycle could push Bitcoin well past six figures as scarcity intensifies.
As adoption grows and more Bitcoin is taken off the market, the price could increase exponentially due to simple supply and demand dynamics.
Want to Learn More About Michael Saylor & MicroStrategy?
Michael Saylor and MicroStrategy have played a massive role in Bitcoin’s adoption, accumulating billions in BTC and reshaping the conversation around Bitcoin as a corporate treasury asset. If you’re interested in learning more about how MicroStrategy became one of the largest Bitcoin holders and Saylor’s bold Bitcoin strategy, let me know! I’d be happy to dive deeper into this topic in a future blog post.
Final Thoughts: Bitcoin Is Becoming More Scarce—And More Valuable
Bitcoin isn’t just a speculative asset—it’s a scarce, deflationary financial instrument that is rapidly becoming a global reserve asset. With corporations, governments, and institutional investors buying at scale, the available supply is shrinking faster than ever.
If history is any guide, the combination of Bitcoin’s fixed supply, institutional accumulation, and mainstream adoption will continue to drive its value higher in the coming years.
💡 What do you think about Bitcoin’s growing scarcity? Will it push prices even higher? Let’s discuss!