Bitcoin Cash (BCH) is one of the most notable cryptocurrencies to emerge from a high-profile blockchain fork. As a digital asset designed to fulfill the original vision of peer-to-peer electronic cash, it has attracted significant attention since its inception. But many investors and crypto enthusiasts still ask: how many BCH coins are there in total? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the total supply, circulation, technical upgrades, and key features of Bitcoin Cash—offering clarity on its role in the evolving cryptocurrency landscape.
What Is Bitcoin Cash (BCH)?
Bitcoin Cash (BCH) is a decentralized digital currency that originated as a hard fork of the original Bitcoin blockchain. Launched on August 1, 2017, at block height 478558, Bitcoin Cash was created to address growing concerns about Bitcoin’s scalability, particularly high transaction fees and slow confirmation times.
Unlike alternative scaling solutions that rely on off-chain mechanisms like the Lightning Network, Bitcoin Cash advocates for on-chain scaling—increasing block size limits to accommodate more transactions per block. This approach aligns with what many believe was Satoshi Nakamoto’s original vision for a globally usable electronic cash system.
👉 Discover how blockchain networks scale with different consensus models and real-world applications.
Total Supply of BCH: How Many Coins Exist?
One of the most frequently asked questions by new investors is: What is the maximum supply of Bitcoin Cash?
The answer is clear:
Bitcoin Cash has a total supply cap of 21 million coins.
This mirrors Bitcoin’s fixed supply model, reinforcing scarcity and long-term value preservation. As of now, approximately 18.996 million BCH are in circulation, representing a circulation rate of 90.46%. The remaining coins will be gradually released through mining rewards, with the final coin expected to be mined around the year 2140—following the same halving schedule as Bitcoin.
Each block reward starts at 50 BCH and halves roughly every four years (every 210,000 blocks), ensuring a predictable and deflationary monetary policy.
Key Technical Features of Bitcoin Cash
Bitcoin Cash isn’t just a copy of Bitcoin—it introduces several critical improvements aimed at enhancing usability, security, and network efficiency.
1. Larger Block Sizes
Initially set at 8MB, Bitcoin Cash later increased its block size limit to 32MB. This allows the network to process thousands of transactions per second under optimal conditions, drastically reducing congestion and lowering fees.
2. Replay Protection & New Signature Hash (SigHash)
To prevent cross-chain transaction replay attacks after the fork, Bitcoin Cash implemented a new SigHash algorithm. This upgrade not only enhances security but also improves compatibility with hardware wallets and mitigates vulnerabilities related to transaction malleability.
3. Dynamic Difficulty Adjustment Algorithm (DAA)
The Difficulty Adjustment Algorithm (DAA) ensures mining stability by recalibrating the proof-of-work difficulty after each block. This responsiveness allows miners to quickly switch between chains without prolonged periods of inactivity or excessive delays—protecting network health during hash rate fluctuations.
4. Decentralized Development Ecosystem
Unlike projects controlled by a single entity, Bitcoin Cash benefits from multiple independent development teams such as Bitcoin ABC, BCHD, and Parity Technologies. These groups contribute to protocol improvements via open collaboration, primarily coordinated through platforms like the bitcoin-ml mailing list.
This decentralization strengthens resistance to political influence and centralization risks in protocol governance.
Why Did Bitcoin Cash Fork from Bitcoin?
In 2017, the Bitcoin community faced a critical debate: how best to scale the network.
While the majority supported SegWit (Segregated Witness) and off-chain scaling via the Lightning Network, a faction believed that increasing block sizes directly was the most straightforward path to mass adoption. This group argued that larger blocks would keep transaction costs low and maintain user control over full nodes.
When consensus couldn’t be reached, mining pool ViaBTC—backed by influential players like Bitmain—executed a hard fork based on the Bitcoin ABC (Adjustable Blocksize Cap) proposal, giving birth to Bitcoin Cash.
Despite controversy, this move allowed BCH to pursue an alternative roadmap focused on on-chain capacity rather than layer-two solutions.
👉 Compare how different cryptocurrencies handle scalability and transaction throughput.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is Bitcoin Cash the same as Bitcoin?
No. While Bitcoin Cash shares Bitcoin’s early transaction history and codebase, it diverged permanently after the August 2017 hard fork. Key differences include larger block sizes, lower fees, and a distinct development philosophy focused on on-chain scaling.
Q: Can I still mine Bitcoin Cash today?
Yes. Bitcoin Cash remains mineable using ASIC hardware compatible with SHA-256 algorithms. Miners receive block rewards (currently 6.25 BCH per block post-halving) and transaction fees.
Q: Does holding Bitcoin give me free Bitcoin Cash?
At the time of the fork in 2017, anyone who held Bitcoin received an equal amount of Bitcoin Cash (1:1 ratio). However, this one-time distribution has ended. Today, BCH must be purchased or earned independently.
Q: What is the smallest unit of Bitcoin Cash?
The smallest divisible unit is called a "satoshi" (0.00000001 BCH), named after Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator. Some wallets also support "bits" (1 bit = 0.000001 BCH), making microtransactions easier to manage.
Q: Why do some people criticize Bitcoin Cash?
Critics argue that large blocks could lead to greater centralization, as running full nodes becomes more resource-intensive. Others believe it deviates from Satoshi’s long-term vision by prioritizing immediate scalability over security trade-offs.
Q: Is Bitcoin Cash inflationary?
No. With a capped supply of 21 million coins—identical to Bitcoin—BCH is inherently deflationary. New coins enter circulation only through mining until the last coin is mined near the end of the 22nd century.
The Role of Bitcoin Cash in Modern Cryptoeconomics
Bitcoin Cash occupies a unique niche in the cryptocurrency ecosystem. It represents a bold experiment in decentralized governance and technical divergence—a real-world test of whether bigger blocks can sustainably support global payments.
While it hasn’t overtaken Bitcoin in market dominance, BCH continues to maintain a strong developer base, active mining community, and growing merchant adoption in regions where low-cost digital payments are essential.
Its emphasis on low fees, fast confirmations, and true peer-to-peer transfers makes it especially relevant for everyday transactions—reinforcing its identity as digital cash rather than just a store of value.
👉 Learn how digital currencies are reshaping global payment systems and financial inclusion.
Final Thoughts
So, how many BCH coins are there? The answer remains firm: 21 million total, with over 18.9 million already circulating.
Bitcoin Cash stands as one of the most successful forks in crypto history—not just in terms of market capitalization, but in its ability to challenge assumptions about scalability and decentralization. Whether you see it as an improvement or a deviation from Bitcoin’s path, its impact on blockchain evolution is undeniable.
For investors and users alike, understanding BCH’s supply mechanics, technological upgrades, and ideological foundation is crucial for making informed decisions in today’s dynamic crypto environment.
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