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## Countdown to Bitcoin Halving 2024: Full Event Breakdown and Forecasts
April 2024 is a date that many are both eagerly awaiting and fearing. It marks the fourth halving event, when the reward for each mined block in the Bitcoin network will be cut in half. This is not just a technical update — it’s an event that will reshape the cryptocurrency ecosystem and determine the market trajectory for years to come.
When the 2024 Bitcoin halving occurs, miners’ rewards will drop from the current 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC per block. This inevitable event was embedded in the protocol by Satoshi Nakamoto. But why is it so important, and what should traders and investors expect?
## Halving Mechanics: How It Works
Bitcoin halving is not a random event but a strictly programmed process. Every 210,000 blocks(approximately every four years), the system automatically reduces the reward for mined blocks.
When the network launched in 2009, miners received 50 BTC per block. The first reduction occurred on November 28, 2012 — the reward dropped to 25 BTC. The second halving happened on July 9, 2016 — to 12.5 BTC. The third occurred on May 11, 2020 — to 6.25 BTC. The fourth is expected in April 2024.
Why did Satoshi implement this mechanism? Simply put — he wanted to create a digital asset with a limited supply. Like gold in nature, Bitcoin has a maximum cap of 21 million coins. Halving slows down the rate of new BTC issuance and mimics the natural scarcity of precious metals.
Currently, over 19.46 million bitcoins are in circulation out of the maximum 21 million. About 31 halvings remain, and the last Bitcoin is expected to be mined around 2140.
## When Exactly Will the 2024 Halving Happen
Such a major event cannot be predicted approximately. The fourth halving will occur at block height 840,000. With an average block time of 10 minutes, this will happen in April 2024.
Countdown timers track the network’s progress in real time. Miners, traders, and investors are literally counting down the days to this event.
( Historical Halving Timeline
Each previous reduction left its mark on Bitcoin’s history:
**First halving** )November 28, 2012( | Block height: 210,000 | Reward: 25 BTC | Price on event day: $12.35 | Price 150 days later: $127.00
**Second halving** )July 9, 2016### | Block height: 420,000 | Reward: 12.5 BTC | Price on event day: $650.63 | Price 150 days later: $758.81
**Third halving** (May 11, 2020) | Block height: 630,000 | Reward: 6.25 BTC | Price on event day: (740) | Price 150 days later: (943)
**Fourth halving** $8 Expected April 2024$10 | Block height: 840,000 | Reward: 3.125 BTC | Price on event day: TBA | Price 150 days later: TBA
**Fifth halving** (Expected 2028) | Block height: 1,050,000 | Reward: 1.5625 BTC | Price on event day: TBA | Price 150 days later: TBA
## Who Will Be Affected by the Halving and Why
Halving is a double-edged sword. For some, it’s a long-awaited opportunity; for others, a potential threat.
( Miners Under Pressure
Halving cuts rewards in half immediately impacting mining profitability. A miner earning 6.25 BTC per block will now earn 3.125 BTC. If Bitcoin’s price doesn’t increase proportionally, their income will drop by exactly 50%.
This could lead to the shutdown of less efficient or marginally profitable miners. Theoretically, it concentrates mining power in the hands of large players, but historical data shows that mining difficulty after halvings usually doesn’t drop sharply. Miners tend to stay in the network, waiting for future price growth.
However, there is a positive aspect: the scarcity of new bitcoins entering the market may drive prices up. If this happens quickly, profitability can recover.
) Investors and Traders See Opportunity
Unlike miners, investors generally view halving optimistically. Historically, each halving has been accompanied by or preceded by significant price increases over the following months or even a year.
The logic is simple: if the supply of new bitcoins decreases while demand remains stable or grows, the price should rise. That’s why many see April 2024 not as an end but as a beginning.
## Impact on the Broader Cryptocurrency Market
Bitcoin is the heart of the entire ecosystem. It accounts for the largest market capitalization and the greatest market dominance. When Bitcoin moves, other altcoins usually follow.
Ethereum, especially when considering ETH/BTC pairs, often correlates with Bitcoin’s movements. Experts point out that the best time to enter altcoins is 8-10 months before the Bitcoin halving, when market confidence is at its lowest. That is precisely the timing of this analysis.
## Price Scenarios: What to Expect
History shows a clear pattern:
**Accumulation Phase** ###Lasts 13-22 months###: Before halving, the market mostly moves sideways or slowly upward, but steadily. This is when smart money enters at lows.
**Bull Market** (10-15 months after halving): Almost every time after the reward is cut in half, a strong upward trend begins. BTC reaches new all-time highs during this period.
**Correction** (Bear market): All good things come to an end. After each bull run, a correction follows. The first correction lasted over 600 days; the last two about a year each.
( Analyst Forecasts
What do experts say about Bitcoin’s price after the 2024 halving?
Pantera Capital predicts that during the four-year cycle after halving, BTC should reach nearly )000.
The "Lowest Price" indicator suggests that by 2026, Bitcoin will surpass the ###000 mark.
Jesse Myers, founder of Bitcoin Onramp, forecasts exceeding $150 000, but not before the next halving.
Adam Back, CEO of Blockstream, believes that $100 000 will be surpassed even before April 2024.
Standard Chartered has revised its forecast to $100 000 by the end of 2024.
Kathy Wood of Ark Invest appears most optimistic: she says Bitcoin could reach $1.5 million by 2030.
The Stock-to-Flow model suggests an even more aggressive scenario: around $100 000 by May 2025, though this model often overestimates results.
It’s important to note that each subsequent bull cycle shows a smaller percentage increase than the previous one. Therefore, expecting a 5x growth may be unrealistic, but a 2-3x increase is quite possible.
## Macro Factors Influencing Future Prices
Halving is just one of many factors affecting price movement:
**Macroeconomic climate**: Decisions by the US Federal Reserve on interest rates have a huge impact. Periods of low rates are generally favorable for risk assets, including Bitcoin.
**Institutional demand**: Approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs in the US could open the floodgates for institutional capital. This event is expected in the coming months and could be a catalyst for growth.
**Technological developments**: Protocols like Bitcoin Ordinals, Inscriptions, and other innovations attract new users and generate demand.
**Market sentiment**: The crypto market is highly sensitive to news. Advances in AI technology, global economic events — all influence sentiment.
## How to Trade During the Halving
Different market participants employ different strategies:
**Conservative approach — "Buy and Hold"**: If you believe in Bitcoin’s long-term potential, simply buy and forget about short-term volatility. History shows this works.
**Dollar-cost averaging $120 DCA$460 **: Invest small amounts at regular intervals. This helps average entry price and avoids the mistake of "buying at the top."
**Active trading**: If you’re a trader, halving offers many opportunities. Spot trading, margin trading, futures — choose according to your risk level.
**Automation**: Trading bots can execute your strategy without emotion. Grid trading, DCA bots, Martingale — a wide array of tools.
**Passive income**: Stake your bitcoins, participate in staking, use structured products. While the market grows, earn on interest.
**Arbitrage**: Look for price differences between exchanges or between spot and futures markets.
## Critical Questions About the 2024 Halving
**Can the exact timing be predicted?** Yes. The halving will occur at block height 840,000. It’s calculated precisely; we only need to wait for miners to mine the required number of blocks.
**What happened during the last halving?** The third halving occurred on May 11, 2020. The price was around (740. Over the next 150 days, it rose to )943.
**Does halving guarantee a price increase?** No. Many factors influence the price. However, historically, halvings have correlated with multi-month periods of growth.
**What happens when all 21 million BTC are mined?** New bitcoins will cease to be created. Miners will only earn transaction fees.
**Will mining difficulty decrease?** Most likely not. Difficulty adjusts to the network’s hash rate. If some miners shut down, difficulty may temporarily drop but will then recover.
**Are there other cryptocurrencies with halving?** Yes, for example Litecoin. Its halving occurred in 2023 under a similar scenario.
**Is that good or bad?** It’s neutral for the system but has opposite effects on different participants. Short-term, it’s bad for miners (less reward); potentially good for traders $8 chance for price growth$10 .
## Conclusion: April 2024 as a Turning Point
When the 2024 Bitcoin halving occurs, it will be the fourth moment in history when the system reforms itself. It’s not just a technical update — it’s a test of the viability of Satoshi Nakamoto’s entire concept.
Two months before the event, Bitcoin is in a classic accumulation phase. Low volatility, sideways trading, growing distrust — all signs that the market is on the verge of a breakout.
Miners are preparing for reduced income. Traders are ready with their strategies. Investors await the signal to enter. Altcoins are waiting for Bitcoin to show the way.
History doesn’t repeat, but it rhymes. If history repeats, April 2024 could mark the start of a new bull market that lasts until the end of the year or even longer. And the prices, forecasted by analysts from (000 to )000 over the four-year cycle, will seem like minimal potential.
Prepare in advance. Those who enter the market several months before halving usually achieve the best results.