Update (20/04/2024 12:11 UTC): Bitcoin has successfully gone through its fourth-ever halving event.
Bitcoin (BTC) is now just moments away from its fourth-ever halving event since its inception — due to happen on April 20 when Bitcoin’s block height reaches 840,000.
From crypto exchanges to influencers and popular podcasters, live streams and physical events are popping up worldwide, where Bitcoiners are set to celebrate the momentous occasion that many hope will lead to the next crypto bull run.
The event marks the moment when Bitcoin miners’ block issuance rewards are cut in half from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC per block — a mechanism designed to permanently reduce Bitcoin’s inflation rate until it reaches a maximum supply of 21 billion Bitcoin.
Bitcoin halving livestreams
If you’re after an event giving you a look back at the past four-year cycle with a bunch of Bitcoiners then head on over to BITC0IN’s Discord and YouTube channel, which has 68,700 subscribers.
The team will be passing around the virtual microphone to various Bitcoiners. Anyone can speak at the event, and there’ll even be games of poker running simultaneously, as per a recent statement from several “Bitcoin volunteers” on Reddit.
Crypto traders are also hosting private online parties if you’re brave enough to slide in the DMs for an invite, including professional trader Oliver Velez, who declared he is kicking off his private online Bitcoin halving with 2,000 guests just 6 blocks before the 840,000 block is mined, which is roughly an hour before the halving occurs.
If you can’t manage to get into that, then crypto exchange Kraken has loads of well-known Bitcoiners jumping on its Bitcoin Halving livestream, including Dave Portnoy, Jack Mallers, Dylan LeClair, Anthony Pompliano, and Pete Rizzo.
Philippines Bitcoin payments app Pouch is also hosting an online halving party event, encouraging Bitcoiners to invite their mates to be “orange-pilled.”
And, of course, Cointelegraph has its own countdown on the homepage for those who enjoy a simpler approach.
For those wanting to have the satisfaction of witnessing the 840,000th block being mined, and don’t mind constantly refreshing the page, you can visit one of the blockchain explorer websites such as BTCScan or Blockstream.
There are even a few physical halving parties scattered around the world, including one in Switzerland, hosted by the founder of Swiss crypto broker Bitcoin Suisse, and another in Brisbane, Australia, which is being sponsored by Binance.
What will happen after the Bitcoin halving?
Not a lot, at least immediately, according to analysts,
Crypto.com’s general manager for Asia and the Pacific, as well as the Middle East and Africa, Karl Mohan explained that the event probably won't have an instant impact on Bitcoin the same day, and investors should adopt a broader perspective, at least until toward the end of this year:
“It is unlikely for it to have immediate direct impact from day one, but over the next six months we do believe this will create bullish foundations for Bitcoin; we’ve seen it in the past cycles, and we believe this cycle is going to play out the same way.”
Other analysts note that investors shouldn’t fret over short-term Bitcoin (BTC) volatility and instead focus on the bigger picture.
“I always recommend zooming out with Bitcoin’s price and investing with a long-term view.” Coin Stories host Natalie Brunell told Cointelegraph in the days leading up to the halving.
“There’s usually increased speculation around these times, which can lead to volatile price swings both before and after the halving,” she added.
Following the last halving in May 2020, Bitcoin’s price experienced a 5% dip one month afterward, only to surge by 180% by year’s end, as per CoinMarketCap data.
Crypto leaders expect many Bitcoin holders to sell a portion of their holdings after the Bitcoin halving.
Collective Shift CEO Ben Simpson anticipates “another sell-off” after the Bitcoin halving, similar to “when the Bitcoin ETF was announced” in January this year.
Within just 11 days of the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs, the price of Bitcoin plummeted by nearly 15%.
“It was a buy the rumor, sell the news event,” Simpson explained, forecasting that he expects “the same thing to happen here.”
Related: Crypto market ‘underestimates the long-term impact’ of Bitcoin halving: Bitwise
Mohan echoed a similar sentiment that historical data suggests the halving event tends to follow a “buy the rumor, sell the news” pattern.
“Price sensitivity in the short term is going to go through a consolidation phase, again something that we’ve seen in the past cycles. It’s a pattern and trend that is clearly available,” Mohan told Cointelegraph.
In comments to Cointelegraph, Bitget’s managing director Gracy Chen explained that the Bitcoin halving differs significantly in “several key ways” from previous halvings due to how much the market has developed since the last cycle.
“Evolving regulatory landscapes and technological advancements further differentiate this cycle. Additionally, favorable global economic conditions and the recent spot Bitcoin ETFs offer greater market sentiment,” Chen said.
Chen anticipates Bitcoin reaching a six-figure price tag, possibly as early as next year.
“Looking ahead, post-2024, Bitcoin is poised to surpass US$100,000, buoyed by enhanced regulatory frameworks, technological innovations, and favorable macroeconomic conditions,” she stated.
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