Over 3 Million Bitcoins Are Lost Forever
Over 11% of Bitcoin’s total supply—up to 3.7 million BTC—is lost forever, says Ledger.
- Up to 3.7M BTC may be permanently lost.
- Lost Bitcoin equals over 11% of the total supply.
- Supply loss may impact Bitcoin’s long-term value.
According to crypto security company Ledger, between 2.3 million and 3.7 million BTC are permanently lost. This represents a staggering 11% to 17% of Bitcoin’s total supply. These coins are likely lost due to forgotten private keys, misplaced hardware wallets, or owners passing away without sharing access.
Unlike traditional banking, Bitcoin has no “forgot password” feature. If you lose your private keys or wallet access, your BTC is gone—forever. This harsh reality has led to millions of coins sitting untouched and inaccessible on the blockchain.
What Lost Supply Means for the Market
Bitcoin’s total supply is capped at 21 million coins. If up to 3.7 million are permanently gone, that means the real circulating supply is even lower than expected. This shortage could increase scarcity over time, especially as Bitcoin adoption grows and demand continues to rise.
With fewer coins available to trade or invest, some experts believe this lost supply could strengthen Bitcoin’s long-term price outlook. Others argue it’s a sobering reminder of how important security and backup practices are in the crypto world.
Lessons for Crypto Holders
The situation highlights a key lesson: if you hold crypto, secure your wallet—and your recovery phrase. Consider backup strategies that allow trusted individuals to access your crypto if something happens to you.
Ultimately, the massive amount of lost Bitcoin serves as both a warning and a potential bullish signal for future investors.
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