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Bitcoin Halving 2028: Date, Block Reward, and What to Expect
Updated April 2026 · Live countdown data · Historical halving analysis
Next Halving
Expected April 2028 at block 1,050,000
The 5th Bitcoin halving is expected around April 2028, when block 1,050,000 is mined. The block reward will drop from 3.125 BTC to 1.5625 BTC — cutting the rate of new Bitcoin creation in half. Every 210,000 blocks, this happens automatically, written into Bitcoin's code since day one.
~2 years away · Block reward: 3.125 → 1.5625 BTC · Automatic
Bitcoin Halving History and Schedule
| Halving | Block | Date | Reward Before | Reward After | BTC Price After 1yr |
|---|
| 1st | 210,000 | Nov 2012 | 50 BTC | 25 BTC | ~$1,000 (+8,000%) |
| 2nd | 420,000 | Jul 2016 | 25 BTC | 12.5 BTC | ~$2,500 (+300%) |
| 3rd | 630,000 | May 2020 | 12.5 BTC | 6.25 BTC | ~$55,000 (+550%) |
| 4th | 840,000 | Apr 2024 | 6.25 BTC | 3.125 BTC | ~$78,000 (+70%) |
| 5th (next) | 1,050,000 | ~Apr 2028 | 3.125 BTC | 1.5625 BTC | TBD |
Why Does the Halving Matter?
Bitcoin's total supply is capped at 21 million coins. New Bitcoin enters circulation only through mining rewards. The halving cuts that reward in half every four years, making new supply increasingly scarce.
After the 2028 halving, approximately 82,500 new Bitcoin will be mined per year — down from 164,250 today. Meanwhile, demand from ETFs, institutions, and retail buyers continues to grow. When supply falls and demand rises, basic economics suggests price pressure upward.
The diminishing returns pattern: Each halving has produced a smaller percentage price gain than the last. The first halving saw 8,000% returns. The fourth saw roughly 70%. This is expected — Bitcoin is maturing and the market cap is larger, requiring more capital to move the price.
What to Do Before the 2028 Halving
- Stack sats now: If the halving pattern continues, the pre-halving period has historically been a good accumulation window
- Use DCA: Trying to perfectly time around the halving almost never works. Consistent buying captures whatever the halving delivers
- Self-custody your Bitcoin: Long-term holdings should be on a hardware wallet, not an exchange
- Manage expectations: Halvings are not guaranteed to pump price — they are a supply event, not a price event
⚡ Live Halving Countdown
Our free Halving Countdown shows the exact blocks remaining to the 2028 halving, updated from live blockchain data. No sign-up required.
View Countdown →
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Bitcoin go up after the 2028 halving? ▼
Past halvings have been followed by significant price increases, but each has also been different. The 2024 halving saw a more muted initial response due to ETF flows already pricing in much of the supply shock. The 2028 halving will depend heavily on macro conditions, institutional demand, and whether the pattern holds.
How is the exact halving date calculated? ▼
Bitcoin targets one block every 10 minutes. Blocks remaining × 10 minutes gives an estimated time. However the actual block time fluctuates — when hash rate rises, blocks come faster; when it falls, slower. This is why halving dates are estimates, not exact.
What happens when all Bitcoin is mined? ▼
Around 2140, the block reward reaches zero and no new Bitcoin will be created. Miners will then be compensated solely by transaction fees. This is designed into Bitcoin — the long-term security model transitions from block subsidies to fee revenue as Bitcoin becomes more valuable and widely used.
This article is for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing here constitutes financial advice. Bitcoin is a volatile asset and past performance does not guarantee future results. Always do your own research before making any investment decision.