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Bitcoin scarcity: why many are underestimating its impact

Bitcoin Scarcity | Major Players Pile Up While Average People Watch from the Sidelines

By

Olivia Brown

Jan 25, 2026, 02:05 AM

3 minutes reading time

A visual representation of Bitcoin scarcity, showing a decreasing supply of Bitcoin coins alongside increasing demand from companies and states.
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A rising wave of interest in Bitcoinโ€™s scarcity is gaining traction as firms like Microstrategy ramp up their purchases, holding around 709,715 BTC. Meanwhile, Texas leads the charge among states acquiring Bitcoin reserves, prompting a critical debate on accessibility for everyday people.

Corporate Accumulation

Microstrategy isn't alone. Big investment firms such as BlackRock and Vanguard are snatching up Bitcoin for their exchange-traded funds (ETFs), signaling a shift in how large entities perceive this digital asset. As scarcity deepens, many wonder how long average folks can participate in the market.

Government Moves Spark Interest

Texas made headlines by purchasing $10 million in Bitcoin, the first U.S. state to create a BTC reserve. Other states are now contemplating similar strategies, highlighting a growing governmental appetite for the crypto asset. On a global scale, Kazakhstan aims to establish a fund worth between $100 million and $1 billion, indicating a race among nations to accumulate Bitcoin before supply runs out.

"Scarcity is meaningless without demand," commented a participant on popular user boards, reflecting the tension in the cryptocurrency community.

Rising Costs and Demand

Currently, about 450 BTC are mined daily. However, this number will halve after the 2028 halving event, decreasing to roughly 225 BTC daily. With each passing moment, the availability drops while prices continue to climb. At present, acquiring just 0.1 BTC costs close to $10,000, a threshold thatโ€™s becoming increasingly difficult for many Americans to reach.

The Ongoing Debate

As comments flooded forums, sentiments ranged from skepticism to conviction. One participant remarked, "By the time the average worker understands BTC, getting even .01 may be a difficult task." With Bitcoin's total supply strictly capped at 21 million, pro-Bitcoin believers worry the opportunity for the average person is slipping away.

Key Insights

  • ๐Ÿ”ผ Microstrategyโ€™s strategy limits the number of full coiners in the market.

  • ๐Ÿ”ฝ Most Americans now struggle to afford fractions of BTC as prices rise.

  • ๐ŸŽฏ "Once itโ€™s completely out of reach, thatโ€™s when the rich will really lean into it," articulated a commenter.

Bitcoin continues to captivate a dual narrative: On one side, scarcity drives up demand; on the other, growing obstacles prevent average individuals from investing. Has the window of opportunity for regular people already closed, or is there still hope on the horizon?

Future Forecasts in Bitcoin Scarcity

Experts suggest thereโ€™s about a 70% chance that Bitcoin's price will continue to increase as corporate accumulation intensifies and average people face barriers to entry. With only about 450 BTC produced daily, and the upcoming halving event threatening to cut that in half, scarcity will likely drive demand ever higher. Many predict that institutional investments will lead to larger price surges, potentially making it harder for individuals to purchase any fractions of BTC, raising costs significantly by 2028. This trend could force a shift where everyday workers may need to rely on alternative investments or community-based pooling strategies if they ever hope to join in the growing crypto market.

Lessons from a Forgotten Rush

In the early 1800s, the California Gold Rush saw thousands flock to the west in a desperate bid for wealth, but only a handful struck it rich. What people often overlook is that many who missed out on the gold found lucrative opportunities in supporting roles, from supplying goods to miners to developing towns. This parallels todayโ€™s Bitcoin scenario, where though the majority struggle to gain direct access, opportunities for growth still exist in the emerging sectors of crypto technology and blockchain services. Most may not be buying Bitcoin directly, but investing in companies innovating around it could prove equally rewarding.