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Ethereum: Why is the supply of Bitcoin not pegged to its demand?

Published by Terlumun Aondover on February 13th, 2025.

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Ethereum’s Unconventional Supply Structure: A Decentralized Currency Without Fiat Peers

In the world of cryptocurrency, few concepts are as fascinating and complex as the underlying mathematics behind Bitcoin’s decentralized network. A common question is why Bitcoin’s supply is capped at 21 million, while many other cryptocurrencies have no such restrictions. The answer lies in the basic design principles of Ethereum, a platform that aims to create a truly decentralized and self-sustaining currency.

Decentralized Supply: A Necessary Evil

The fundamental idea behind Ethereum is to create a decentralized system where transactions are verified by nodes on the network, rather than by central authorities. This eliminates the need for a single point of control, reducing the risk of inflation or manipulation. However, this also means that there will always be a limit to the total amount of Ether (ETH), the native cryptocurrency.

In the case of Bitcoin, the supply is limited to 21 million due to its origins as an open-source protocol created by Satoshi Nakamoto in 2009. The original intention was to create a decentralized peer-to-peer system for financial transactions without the need for intermediaries such as banks or central authorities. In order to ensure the integrity of the network and maintain control over the distribution of Bitcoin, Bitcoin’s creator decided to limit the total supply.

Why aren’t you stuck on the question?

If Ethereum were allowed to set its supply directly on demand, it would create a situation where the price of ETH could be influenced by external factors such as speculation, market sentiment, or even global economic conditions. This is why the 21 million limit has been maintained throughout the platform’s history.

Why don’t you pass the question?

There are several reasons why Ethereum cannot allow supply to exceed demand:

Inflationary pressures: If supply were to increase beyond demand, it could lead to inflationary pressures, where the value of ETH increases exponentially as more people buy into the market.

Scalability issues: Current block rewards and transaction fees are designed to prevent efficient processing of transactions at scale. Increasing supply would require significant upgrades to these systems, which would be expensive and time-consuming.

Network congestion

: As the network grows, it becomes increasingly difficult to process transactions in a timely manner, leading to congestion and potential delays.

The Case for Decentralized Fiat Pegging

Ethereum’s decentralized nature has led some to propose alternative approaches to fixed supply and centralized fiat currency systems. One such model is the use of smart contracts, which can dynamically adjust supply based on market demand or other factors.

In this approach, a decentralized algorithmic token, such as ERC-20, could be used to control the supply of ETH. This would allow for greater flexibility in managing supply and could reduce the risk of inflationary pressures.

Conclusion

Ethereum’s supply limit of 21 million is not just an arbitrary number; it is rooted in the platform’s decentralized design principles and the desire to maintain control over the network. While fixed supplies may be attractive in theory, they also introduce risks that are difficult to mitigate. By embracing blockchain technology and smart contract solutions, Ethereum continues to evolve into a truly decentralized currency, free from fiat peg concerns.

As the cryptocurrency landscape continues to grow and mature, it will be interesting to see how Ethereum adapts its architecture to address emerging challenges and opportunities. One thing is certain: Ethereum’s unique approach to decentralization will continue to shape the future of digital currencies.

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