Wall Street Journal: Bitcoin's Value Lies in Its Scarcity

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Why did Bitcoin hit record highs this week? According to advocates of the world's largest cryptocurrency by market cap, it all boils down to the fundamental laws of supply and demand.

Like any commodity—whether gold, oil, or soybeans—Bitcoin's price is highly sensitive to demand fluctuations. The launch of U.S. ETFs that directly hold the digital currency (spot Bitcoin ETFs) in January 2024 triggered a surge in demand.

The ETF Effect on Bitcoin Demand

Since their introduction, investors have poured billions into these ETFs. The influx has compelled the funds to purchase Bitcoin to meet demand, driving prices upward.

However, Bitcoin differs from traditional commodities due to its rigidly capped supply—a dynamic that can fuel dramatic price spikes.

The Scarcity Mechanism

Bitcoin's underlying computer code enforces a hard limit of 21 million coins, with over 90% already mined. New coins enter circulation through "mining," where computers solve complex algorithms.

Alex Thorn, Head of Research at Galaxy Digital, notes:

"Bitcoin is among the world’s scarcest assets, and it’s becoming even tighter."

Risks and Skepticism

Despite bullish trends, Bitcoin’s volatility remains notorious. Previous peaks (like November 2021’s) were followed by crashes exceeding 70%. Critics, including policymakers and Wall Street executives, argue Bitcoin lacks intrinsic value and remains speculative.

Supply Inelasticity and Price Sensitivity

Unlike commodities such as gas or gold, Bitcoin’s supply cannot scale with price increases. Key factors:

  1. Fixed Issuance Rules: Mining rewards halve periodically, hardcoded into Bitcoin’s protocol.
  2. Long-Term Holders: Blockchain data shows ~80% of Bitcoin hasn’t changed hands in six months, with many coins likely locked in lost wallets or held by "HODLers."

Steven Lubka of Swan Bitcoin explains:

"Bitcoin fundamentally lacks the ability to bring additional supply to the market."

ETF Impact and Market Dynamics

Since January 11, 2024, U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have aggressively accumulated coins, with net inflows nearing $8 billion. ByteTree estimates ETFs now hold 5% of Bitcoin’s total supply, up from 4.4% pre-launch.

Challenges in Sourcing Bitcoin:

Rob Strebel of DRW notes:

"Investors who bought low are now capitalizing on highs, creating sell-side liquidity."

FAQs

Q: What causes Bitcoin’s price surges?
A: Demand spikes (e.g., ETF launches) clash with its fixed supply, driving prices up.

Q: How does the "halving" affect Bitcoin?
A: It reduces new coin issuance by 50%, historically preceding price rallies due to increased scarcity.

Q: Why do critics call Bitcoin speculative?
A: Its value isn’t tied to tangible assets or cash flows, relying purely on market sentiment.

Q: Can Bitcoin’s supply ever increase?
A: No—the 21-million-coin cap is immutable per its code.

Q: How do ETFs influence Bitcoin’s market?
A: They institutionalize demand, requiring large-scale purchases that strain limited supply.

Q: What risks do investors face?
A: Extreme volatility and potential for sharp downturns after rallies.

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Conclusion

Bitcoin’s scarcity-driven model continues to polarize markets, blending fervent adoption with skepticism. As ETFs reshape demand dynamics, its price trajectory remains a high-stakes test of digital scarcity’s allure.


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