Bitcoin’s Next Halving 2024: Market Impact and What to Expect

March 06, 2024
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Updated 4/26/24

The halving, which took place on April 19, 2024, slashed mining rewards from 6.25 to 3.125 bitcoins. The fourth such occurrence in bitcoin's history, the event marked a critical juncture that historically has been associated with notable price fluctuations and increased investor interest. Here is everything you need to know about this key milestone.

How often do halvings occur? Halvings occur approximately once every four years, and they are expected to continue until the year 2140, when the amount of bitcoin in circulation is forecast to reach its maximum supply.
What is the maximum supply of bitcoin? With a capped supply of 21 million bitcoin, halvings represent a step closer to bitcoin’s max supply limit.
What is the current award for mining bitcoin? The current award for mining bitcoin is 3.125 BTC (down from 6.25 BTC prior to the April 2024 halving event).

 

What is Bitcoin “Halving”?

Bitcoin halving is designed to control the supply of new bitcoin entering circulation. Bitcoin operates on a decentralized network where transactions are verified and added to the blockchain ledger by miners. These miners are rewarded with bitcoin for their computational efforts, which in turn introduces new coins into circulation. The term “halving” refers to the scheduled reduction by half of these mining rewards. By reducing the rate at which new bitcoin are created, halving creates scarcity and limits the total supply of bitcoins that will ever exist. This controlled supply is a fundamental aspect of bitcoin’s design and contributes to its appeal for many investors.

Why does Halving Matter?

The previous bitcoin halvings occurred in November 2012, July 2016, and May 2020. Historically, the price of bitcoin has increased immediately prior to, as well as after, these halving events.

For example, in the 30 days preceding the July 9, 2016 halving event, bitcoin’s price rose from $574.63 to $650.96, a 13% increase. In the 30 days preceding the May 11, 2020 halving event, bitcoin’s price rose from $6,859.08 to $8,601.80, a 25% increase. The total calendar year returns for bitcoin in 2016 and 2020 were 124% and 303%, respectively. The 30 day performance prior to the 2024 halving has been less pronounced, rising 1%, though bitcoin's year to date price has increased 46%.

Historically, Bitcoin Has Rallied Before and After Halving Events

Source: Bloomberg

Refer to the graph below for bitcoin rallies before and after halving events.

Bitcoin Halvings: History of BTC Prices

Source: Bloomberg, as of 12/31/23. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

What to expect.

The reduction in the supply of new bitcoin resulting from halving, coupled with potential increased demand, can create a supply-demand imbalance that may contribute to price appreciation. However, it’s important to note that the halving itself is not the sole factor influencing bitcoin’s price. Other market factors, investor sentiment, and macroeconomic conditions can also play significant roles in the price of bitcoin increasing or decreasing around halving events.

Investors should focus on the potential for increased volatility, possible consolidation within the mining industry, and potentially consequential shifts in the broader cryptocurrency market:

  • Increased volatility. As evidenced by past data, bitcoin has experienced significant price moves during halving years. While, historically, those moves have been higher, the opposite could occur.
  • Consolidation within the bitcoin mining industry. Lower block rewards may impact less-efficient miners’ profitability, possibly causing some to cease operations.
  • Potential for higher prices in other cryptocurrencies. While the halving is specific to bitcoin, other cryptocurrencies have made notable moves during halving years as well. Ether, which has historically maintained a strong correlation to bitcoin prices, rose from $129.63 to $737.80 during the 2020 halving, a 469% increase.

ProShares, a global leader in crypto-linked ETFs, offers a broad suite of products to help investors target the performance of the world’s largest cryptocurrencies, and position their portfolios in response to the April 2024 halving event.

These ETFs do not invest directly in bitcoin or ether.

Learn More

BITO

Bitcoin ETF

Seeks investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to the performance of bitcoin.

EETH

Ether ETF

Seeks investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to the performance of ether.

BETE

Bitcoin & Ether Equal Weight ETF

Targeting the equal weighted performance of bitcoin and ether in a single investment

BETH

Bitcoin & Ether Market Cap Weight ETF

Targeting the market cap weighted performance of bitcoin and ether in a single investment

BITI

Short Bitcoin ETF

Seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to the inverse (-1x) of the daily performance of the Bloomberg Bitcoin Index.

SETH

Short Ether ETF

Seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to the inverse (-1x) of the daily performance of the Bloomberg Ethereum Index.

SBIT

UltraShort Bitcoin ETF

Seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to two times the inverse (-2x) of the daily performance of the Bloomberg Bitcoin Index.

BITU

Ultra Bitcoin ETF

Seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to two times (2x) the daily performance of the Bloomberg Bitcoin Index.

Get the latest perspectives and updates.

Important information

ProShares AUM as of 12/31/2023

Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. There is no guarantee any ProShares ETF will achieve its investment objective.

Some ProShares ETFs seek daily investment results that correspond, before fees and expenses, to a multiple of (e.g. 2x or -2x) the daily performance of its underlying benchmark (the “Daily Target”). While the Funds have a daily investment objective, you may hold a Fund’s shares for longer than one day if you believe it is consistent with your goals and risk tolerance. For any holding period other than a day, your return may be higher or lower than the Daily Target. These differences may be significant. Smaller index gains/losses and higher index volatility contribute to returns worse than the Daily Target. Larger index gains/losses and lower index volatility contribute to returns better than the Daily Target. The more extreme these factors are, the more they occur together, and the longer your holding period while these factors apply, the more your return will tend to deviate. Investors should consider periodically monitoring their geared fund investments in light of their goals and risk tolerance.

These ETFs invest in derivatives (swap agreements, futures contracts and similar instruments) that provide indirect exposure to bitcoin and/or ether and do not invest directly in cryptocurrencies. Investors seeking exposure to bitcoin or ether directly should consider an investment other than these ETFs. Bitcoin, ether and bitcoin and ether derivatives are each a relatively new asset class and the market for them is subject to rapid changes and uncertainty. Bitcoin, ether and their derivatives are subject to unique and substantial risks, such as rapid price swings and lack of liquidity, including as a result of changes in the supply of and demand for bitcoin or ether, statements by influencers and the media, and other factors. Bitcoin and ether are largely unregulated and may be more susceptible to fraud and manipulation than more regulated investments. Leveraged or short exposure to bitcoin will increase volatility. The value of an investment in the ETFs could decline significantly and without warning, including to zero. These ETFs may not be suitable for all investors.

BITO, EETH, BETE, and BETH are actively managed. The costs associated with rolling (buying and selling) futures and the impact of margin requirements, collateral requirements and other limits may have a negative impact on performance and prevent each Fund from achieving its objective. The price and performance of bitcoin futures and ether futures should be expected to differ from the current “spot” prices of bitcoin and ether (the prices of bitcoin and ether that can be purchased immediately). These differences could be significant.

These ETFs are non-diversified and entail certain risks, including risks associated with the use of derivatives (swap agreements, futures contracts and similar instruments), counterparty risk, imperfect benchmark correlation, leverage and market price variance, all of which can increase volatility and decrease performance. BITU and SBIT are new and may have a limited number of market makers. There can be no assurance they will be successful or that an active market will develop. Shares of any ETF are generally bought and sold at market price (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the fund. Your brokerage commissions will reduce returns.

Carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of ProShares before investing. This and other information can be found in their summary and full prospectuses. Read them carefully before investing. Obtain them from your financial professional or visit ProShares.com.

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