What Is The Bitcoin 210,000 Block Theory?
Have you ever heard of the Bitcoin 210,000 block theory to increase the value of your Bitcoin holdings? Two hundred and ten thousand isn't just an arbitrary figure—proven science corresponds to that number. This article demonstrates why you should think about the 210,000 block theory and how you can verify your BTC transactions on-chain.
If you have been in the crypto and blockchain space for a while, you may have heard this theory: You should HODL Bitcoin for at least 210,000 blocks. What does HODL mean? HODL is an acronym for "Hold On for Dear Life," referring to holding cryptocurrency regardless of price volatility. HODL originated years ago from a typo in an old Bitcoin forum where one user said he was holding bitcoin.
Hold on for Dear Life - 210,000 blocks later
According to the HODL theory, bitcoin held for at least 210,000 blocks after being sent will appreciate. As of September 26th, 2022, there are no transactions with a lower fiat valuation compared to 210,000 blocks in the future.
For example: If someone received a bitcoin payment in Block 500,000, it should be held until block 710,000 to determine price appreciation compared to block 500,000.
Every bitcoin (or satoshi) ever mined or transacted has a higher fiat valuation after 210,000 blocks have elapsed.
The block reward "halving" event is understood
Bitcoin has value because it has a supply cap of 21 million, and it can't be duplicated, creating scarcity. The block reward halving that occurs every 210,000 blocks, roughly every four years, restricts the supply of bitcoin even further. Every 210,000 blocks, the number of newly mined bitcoins halves reducing the supply. Bitcoin's supply mechanism is hard coded into the network and controlled through maths-based inflation.
Bitcoiners refer to saving as HODLing, a nod to the word's origin from the Bitcoin forum. This inflation keeps the price of bitcoin rising and incentivizes saving based on this theory.
A test of the theory is required
We did a basic test of this theory, and the results were terrific. We tested all transactions using Bitcoin price data dating back to July 18th, 2010. The code is accessible here. Every bitcoin transaction ever sent has a higher fiat value after 210,000 blocks have passed. The theory explains why—every single transaction has a higher value.
There are two methods to test this theory using traditional finance terminology. In this case, I will provide a more detailed explanation.
A priori simulation
You cannot backtest for any transactions mined in the first 210,000 blocks, as there were no blocks that existed 210,000 blocks before. For transactions, not 210,000 blocks old, you can only look backward and see the fiat price of bitcoin.
Suppose you just sent one bitcoin last week. It would be a few years before that transaction was 210,000 blocks old. To test this theory for such a transaction, you would have to go 210,000 blocks backward (210,000 blocks backward) and see how much one bitcoin was worth then. After look how well you would have done if you had sent the same transaction 210,000 blocks ago.
What if a transaction is already 210,000 blocks old? Then the code tested its 210,000 blocks forward performance.
Performance testing forward
Take any transaction and add 210,000 to the block number to see the current price if the transaction were to be processed now. Time must pass (approximately four years) for a transaction to be 210,000 blocks old before you can test whether this theory stands the test of time.
For example, A glance at the valuation of bitcoin in block 560,000 would tell you whether you received a transaction in block 350,000.
In Block 350,000, one bitcoin has a value of ~$247.
