What if Bitcoin.org
Discover the potential of your missed Bitcoin investments
and learn from the past to shape your future.
Missed Opportunity Calculator
Discover what could have been
Selected Date:
2016-07-15
Your Bitcoin 'What If' Story
Discover the potential you missed
1.51957671 BTC
151957671 SATS
1 BTC = 100,000,000 SATS
If you had invested $0 in Bitcoin on April 26, 2025
It would be worth $0 today!
-100% loss
vs. S&P 500: 0.00%
What you could have bought:
0x
Smart Devices
0x
Gaming Rigs
0x
Restaurant Visits
0x
Online Courses
0x
Car Rentals
0x
Nights in Luxury Hotels
0x
Flight Tickets
0x
Nvidia Stocks
0x
Boat Tours
0x
Jewelry Pieces
Bitcoin Supply Countdown
There will only ever be 21 million Bitcoin. Over 90% has already been mined.
Remaining
1,144,143 BTC
Mined
19,855,857 BTC
94.55% of total supply
Left to be mined over the next ~115 years
Total Supply:
21,000,000 BTC
(2,100,000,000,000,000 SATS)
Next Bitcoin Halving
Every four years, the new Bitcoin supply is cut in half.
Block Reward After Halving
3.125→1.5625 BTC
Expected around April 2028
Bitcoin Supply & Halving Timeline
🔒Why Bitcoin's Supply Is So Powerful
Scarcity, predictability, and the halving schedule explained for humans.
💡 How Bitcoin Supply Works
✓Bitcoin is capped at21 million coins— no more can ever be created.
✓New BTC are mined roughly every 10 minutes.
✓About every four years, the reward gets cut in half — this is called ahalving.
✓The final Bitcoin will be mined around 2140, after which no new BTC will ever enter circulation.
📘 What This Means
Bitcoin's fixed supply is what makes it different from every other asset. It's the first time in history we've had digital scarcity. No inflation. No printing. No surprises.
Bitcoin Price Predictions (2025–2045)
Explore expert BTC forecasts and see how they impact your investment
Current Bitcoin Price: $94,708.27 · Last updated: 3 months ago
2025This year
Mike McGlone
Senior Strategist, Bloomberg
Bitcoin is well on its way to becoming digital gold.
Peter Brandt
Veteran Trader
Bitcoin has entered a new bull market.
Tim Draper
Venture Capitalist
I think I am going to be three years off.
Chamath Palihapitiya
CEO, Social Capital
We really do need… an uncorrelated hedge.
2026Next year
Arthur Hayes
Co-founder, BitMEX
A wave of money will hit Bitcoin… especially as the Fed prints.
2029In 4 years
.png&w=3840&q=75)
.png&w=3840&q=75)
Tom Lee
Analyst
Lee told CNBC that Bitcoin "will be valued at over $500,000 over the next five years," driven by key catalysts (e.g. ETFs, adoption).
2030In 5 years
Jack Dorsey
Co-founder, Twitter & Block
Over… at least a million. I do think it hits that number and goes beyond.
Cathie Wood
CEO, ARK Invest
Our bull case: $1.5 million… odds have gone up.
2034In 9 years
Jesse Powell
CEO, Kraken
Bitcoin is going to infinity.
2040In 15 years
Chamath Palihapitiya
CEO, Social Capital
We really do need… an uncorrelated hedge.
2045In 20 years
Hal Finney
Early Bitcoin Developer
Bitcoin could become the world's dominant payment system.
Michael Saylor
Chairman, MicroStrategy
Every bitcoin you don't buy today is going to cost you $13 million.
Future Projections Calculator
Select a prediction scenario or enter your own:
Or quickly select an expert's prediction:
2025:
2026:
2029:
2030:
2034:
2040:
2045:
🧠 Want to try your own projection?
Quick select:
🔐 How to Buy and Hold Bitcoin the Right Way
From one Bitcoiner to another — here's how to do it right the first time.
✅ Step 1: Buy Bitcoin Without Regrets
"You don't need to buy a whole Bitcoin. Just stack what you can."
Most people get stuck here. The key is to start small and stay consistent. You don't need to know everything — you just need a plan.
- Pick a platform: Choose something trustworthy. You'll likely need to verify your identity.
👉 We don't recommend specific exchanges — but check our Bitcoin Resources for community-trusted options.
- Decide how much to buy: $10, $100 — start with what you're comfortable with. You're not late. You're early.
- One-time or recurring: You can buy once, or use Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA) — buying small amounts on a schedule to smooth out volatility.
⚠️ Step 2: Avoid the Mistakes We All Made
"The biggest mistake you can make is thinking Bitcoin is about getting rich quick."
Here's what experienced Bitcoiners wish they knew earlier:
- Don't chase hype — Bitcoin isn't a lottery ticket. Go at your own pace.
- Scams are everywhere — No one legitimate will ask for your recovery phrase. Ever.
"If it sounds too good to be true, it is." — Everyone in Bitcoin
- Double-check before clicking anything — Fake wallets and phishing emails are common. Always verify URLs.
- No one knows the top or bottom — Not even the experts. Focus on the long term.
If this feels intimidating, it means you're being careful. That's a good thing.
🔒 Step 3: Store It Like a Bitcoiner
"The best time to learn self-custody is before you need it."
If you don't control your keys, you don't control your Bitcoin. Period.
Once you buy BTC, move it to a wallet you control. There are two main types:
- Hot Wallets (mobile/desktop): Convenient and good for small balances
- Cold Wallets (hardware/offline): Offline and much safer for long-term storage
🛡 How to Back It Up the Right Way
- ☑️ Write down your seed phrase on paper or metal — offline only
- ❌ Never screenshot it, email it, or store it in the cloud
- ☑️ Keep a second backup in a separate secure location (fireproof safe, or with someone you trust)
"The biggest mistake new Bitcoiners make? Leaving everything on an exchange."
🤫 One More Thing: Privacy Is Part of Security
You don't tell everyone how much is in your bank account — treat your Bitcoin the same way.
- Don't post your holdings
- Don't show wallet screenshots
- Be humble and quiet. Bitcoin is freedom, not flexing.
➡️ Ready to go deeper?
Visit our Bitcoin Resources page to explore wallets, books, tools, and guides the community actually uses.
Explore Community-Trusted Resources →🔗 Bitcoin Resources
Here are the tools and sources I personally recommend. Each one is community-trusted, well-known in the Bitcoin space, and carefully chosen to help you get started — whether you're looking to buy Bitcoin, store it safely, or learn more about it.
These resources are not sponsored, not affiliated, and I don't make any money if you click them. This list is here purely to help you discover the most trusted Bitcoin wallets, exchanges, and education platforms, based on what the Bitcoin community actually uses.
Buy First Bitcoin
Bitcoin Wallets
Bitcoin Figures
Bitcoin's Journey: From Code to Currency
A timeline of turning points that shaped what Bitcoin is today.
2008
Satoshi Nakamoto publishes the Bitcoin whitepaper, introducing the concept of a decentralized digital currency.
Laying the foundation for a new financial paradigm.
2009
The first Bitcoin block (Genesis Block) is mined, marking the official birth of the Bitcoin network.
The start of immutable, decentralized record-keeping.
2010
The first real-world Bitcoin transaction occurs: two pizzas are purchased for 10,000 BTC.
Establishing the first tangible value for the digital currency.
In 2010, buying Bitcoin felt like magic internet money. Now it's magic freedom money.
2011
Bitcoin reaches parity with the US dollar for the first time.
Proof it's more than just a digital experiment.
2013
The price of Bitcoin surpasses $1,000, attracting widespread media attention and investor interest.
Entering the mainstream conversation, though still volatile.
2015
The number of merchants accepting Bitcoin surpasses 100,000 globally.
Indicating growing real-world adoption and utility beyond speculation.
Watching adoption grow felt slow day-to-day, but revolutionary looking back.
2017
Japan recognizes Bitcoin as a legal method of payment.
A major economy giving official status boosted legitimacy.
2020
The third Bitcoin halving occurs, reducing the block reward to 6.25 BTC.
Supply drops — and history shows price often rises after.
Every halving is a reminder: time is on Bitcoin's side.
2021
El Salvador becomes the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender.
Setting a precedent for national cryptocurrency adoption.
2021
The first Bitcoin futures ETF launches in the United States.
Providing a regulated way for traditional investors to gain exposure.
2022
Despite a challenging market, Bitcoin's Lightning Network capacity grows significantly.
Showcasing advancements in scalability for faster, cheaper payments.
2023
Bitcoin's total network hash rate reaches new all-time highs multiple times.
Indicating increased network security and miner confidence.
2024
The fourth Bitcoin halving occurs, reducing the block reward to 3.125 BTC.
Another milestone in Bitcoin's predictable, programmatic monetary policy.
🔮 What's ahead: Further ETF adoption? Global remittance disruption? More countries going Bitcoin-native?
The journey continues...
🤔 Bitcoin Misconceptions (That Still Fool Smart People)
Let's clear a few things up, once and for all.
Myth: Bitcoin is backed by nothing.
Truth: Bitcoin is backed by code, consensus, and energy. It's not backed by a government — and that's the point. Its value comes from its fixed supply, decentralized network, and adoption.
Myth: You can't fix mistakes on the blockchain.
Truth: That's true — and that's the point. Bitcoin is built on irreversibility. It forces responsibility — and trustlessness. Double-check before you click "send."
Myth: You have to buy a whole Bitcoin.
Truth: False. Bitcoin is divisible to 8 decimal places. You can buy $5, $20, or any amount. Most people today own fractions — called sats (satoshis).
Myth: Your Bitcoin lives in your wallet.
Truth: Kind of. Your Bitcoin stays on the blockchain — what your wallet really stores is the private key that proves you can access it.
Myth: I'm too late to Bitcoin.
Truth: Most people still haven't even started. There will only ever be 21 million Bitcoin, and over 90% of people haven't learned how it works yet. You're early — if you're learning now.
Myth: Bitcoin is anonymous.
Truth: Not really. Bitcoin is pseudonymous — all transactions are public, but not tied to real names. If your address is ever linked to your identity, your full history is visible.
Myth: Bitcoin is only useful for speculation.
Truth: Bitcoin is also used for savings, remittances, borderless payments, and as a hedge against monetary debasement. Use-cases are growing as education spreads.
Myth: Bitcoin is too volatile to be taken seriously.
Truth: Volatility is normal for new technology. Bitcoin has been the best-performing asset of the last decade — despite huge ups and downs. Zoom out.
Myth: Lost Bitcoin is free Bitcoin for everyone!
Truth: Not quite. When Bitcoin is lost (e.g., you lose your keys), it's gone forever. But since supply is capped, it technically makes *your* Bitcoin more scarce — not "free," just harder to get.
Myth: Bitcoin is bad for the environment.
Truth: Bitcoin uses energy — but it also incentivizes renewables and energy efficiency. Many miners use stranded or renewable energy sources, and the conversation is evolving fast.
"The biggest barrier to understanding Bitcoin is thinking you already do."
Frequently Asked Questions
What is WhatIfBitcoin.org?
It is a Bitcoin calculator designed to help you understand how much your investment could have grown based on historical data and expert price predictions. It offers both past and future insight into Bitcoin's potential value.
How does the Missed Opportunity Calculator work?
You enter a date and investment amount to see how much Bitcoin you could have bought at that time, and what that investment would be worth today. It also shows your BTC balance in satoshis (SATs), the smallest unit of Bitcoin.
What is the Future Projections Calculator?
This tool shows what your Bitcoin investment might be worth in the future, based on publicly available predictions from experts like Cathie Wood, Tim Draper, and Michael Saylor. You can explore different scenarios or select individual forecasts.
Are the Bitcoin price predictions real?
Yes. All predictions are based on verified quotes from reputable sources such as interviews, social media posts, or financial news outlets. Each forecast includes a source link for transparency.
Is this financial advice?
No. This website is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not provide investment advice. Always do your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making financial decisions.
Where does the Bitcoin price data come from?
The historical data used on this site comes from publicly available sources like CoinMarketCap and Yahoo Finance. Future predictions are taken directly from named experts with links to their original statements.
What is DCA and should I use it?
DCA stands for dollar-cost averaging. It is an investment strategy where you invest a fixed amount at regular intervals, regardless of the price. You can enable DCA in the calculator to explore how it would have impacted your Bitcoin performance over time.
Can I share my results?
Yes. After using either calculator, you can generate a shareable version of your results to post on social media or send to a friend.
Why does Bitcoin have a supply cap?
Bitcoin has a maximum supply of 21 million coins. This cap is hard-coded into its protocol to ensure scarcity, unlike fiat currencies which can be printed in unlimited quantities. This fixed supply is a fundamental part of Bitcoin's value proposition.
When is the next Bitcoin halving?
The next halving is scheduled to occur around April 2028. It happens approximately every four years and cuts the block reward in half. Historically, these events have had a major impact on Bitcoin's price trajectory.
How is this different from other crypto calculators?
This site is focused exclusively on Bitcoin. There are no altcoins, no tokens, and no distractions. The goal is to provide clear, accurate tools to help you explore Bitcoin's historical performance and potential future value.
How can I contact the editor or suggest improvements?
If you have feedback, spot an error, or want to suggest an improvement, feel free to reach out by email at [email protected]. I welcome all constructive suggestions.
Do you accept donations or sponsorships?
No. This site does not accept donations or paid sponsorships, and uses no affiliate links. Its purpose is purely educational, designed to encourage learning about Bitcoin, not generate revenue. If you find it helpful and feel inspired to give, please consider donating to a charity or cause you trust.