Could bitcoin break it 21M supply cap?

Bitcoin as some critics will call it, it's a digital currency created out of thin air based on some codes that could be broken with any slight altered coding, while crypto enthusiast view decentralization as an embedded encrypted coding that require even the most sophisticated computer to crack it blocks strides which have been simultaneously running for over a decade none stop, so far this new technology introduced by some annonynous developers 14 years ago have been built to resist both internal brutal forces and external 50% attack from collective miners, its numerous distributed nodes across different regions run by miners also makes its blockchain a hack Proof technology that could resist the test of time, it alternative stand between the gap to protect it self and the community at large from collapsing while regulatory action have been taken by several authorities to clampdown this technology it has yet continue to thrive amidst all challenges.

While there could be dispute which could result into forking thereby splitting of bitcoin blockchain nodes which could give birth to new token as we have seen in the case of bitcoin cash (BCH) bitcoin supply has been hard coded to remain at maximum 21 million supply which will ever exist while along side there could be cases of lost bitcoin that will be sent to null address or those wallet holders that have permanently misplaced their wallet private keys there are high chance we could only have 21 million existing bitcoin but it circulation supply will not be capped at 21 million when the last bitcoin has been eventually mindted in 100 years from now in 2140.

The halving

Bitcoin last halving event will occur in 2140 which mean there will be approximately 32 halving events 117 years from now while the halving is considered a significant event that is associated with every bull run expected to happen in 2024 the halving significantly reduce bitcoin circulation and reduce block reward by 50% at every 210,000 block created every four years in bitcoin blockchain the network undergoes halving.

Supply control through halving reduces bitcoin supply and create scarcity and value on bitcoin, it incentivise miners to adjust their reward earning and alternatively rely on generated transaction fees to maintain a smoother running mining rig, it generally increases price speculation since less minting of bitcoin will occur with more halving it could propel long term price increase in future.

Halvings play a pivotal role in shaping bitcoin's economic model, scarcity narrative, and long term appeal it generally controls it supply making it somewhat impossible for bitcoin 21 million supply to break above enen point.

Bitcoin future supply

Source

The Image above shows how bitcoin supply will be diluted over 100 years from now the question of bitcoin breaking it's 21 million supply I guess will be a problem to worry in 100 year from now while the above Image doesn't give exact detail of how this supply will be distributed at December 2137 at least we could be sure the last halving isn't happening 50 years from now.

There is little to no chance of bitcoin ever exceeding it expected capped maximum supply for some fundamental reasons.

1. Bitcoin protocol rules; bitcoin community consensus is open and decentralized which mean to alter any coding in its blockchain there will be community votes, if an agreed term is not reached those who want this supply to go up could go for a new token as we have seen in previous years with BCH, the 21 million supply is hard coded and will always need community consensus approval to break which is very unlikely to happen.

2. Economic aspects; bitcoin value increase could incentively devalue it price while miners and holders see bitcoin as a hedge against inflation breaking it supply could alter trust and reduce transparency of the digital asset.

3. Decentralization; altering bitcoin supply will require centralized parties to do so which completely goes against decentralization principles.

4. Trust; bitcoin 21 million supply is one of it's predictable feature altering this will result to security breach of it network which could undermine trust of its holders and institutions at large looking to adopt bitcoin.

While it's technically possible to change bitcoin's supply cap through a network upgrade, doing so would be highly controversial and likely result in a fork, creating a new cryptocurrency. This is why it is believed that bitcoin's 21 million cap is unlikely to be broken even in near future.