Key Points
- The Bitcoin network has successfully completed its fourth halving event.
- Industry leaders have shared differing views on the potential impact of the halving on the crypto space.
The crypto community is divided on the implications of Bitcoin’s recent halving event.
This is the fourth time the Bitcoin network has halved its mining rewards, which are now at 3.125 BTC per block, equivalent to approximately $200,000.
Halving’s Impact on Crypto
Emin Gün Sirer, founder of Avalanche, offered two contrasting views on the halving.
Technologically, he perceives the halving as a negative event due to the sudden reduction in rewards for miners, which in turn decreases the security budget of the Bitcoin system.
Sirer suggested that if Bitcoin’s creator were still around, the halving process might be modified to decrease rewards more gradually.
However, Sirer also acknowledged that the halving has stimulated speculation and buying in the crypto space, leading to increased interest and potential for growth.
He predicts that the crypto space could grow by at least a factor of 10.
Halving’s Immediate Impact
Contrary to Sirer’s view, Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, believes that the halving may not immediately impact Bitcoin’s price.
Ardoino remains optimistic about the potential impact of Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), expecting significant moves once pension funds and other hedge funds start investing.
Justin Hyun, Director of Investments at The Open Network (TON) Foundation, believes the halving demonstrates the principle of ‘code is law’ in crypto.
He hopes that the wider community will become more curious about different networks and how they interact with the code and users after witnessing this predefined event.