Professor Coin: What Gives Bitcoin Its Value?

Key Points

1. Bitcoin's value is partly due to its programmed scarcity, with a fixed supply of 21 million coins, likened to gold in academic studies.

2. Network effects contribute to Bitcoin's value, as its utility and acceptance grow with its user base, according to tokenomics models.

3. The cost of Bitcoin production, through mining, provides a real-world underpinning for its value and network security.

4. Speculation, sentiment, and investor attention play significant roles in Bitcoin's valuation, as shown in various studies.

5. Bitcoin's role in the broader financial system and its demand as a portfolio asset influence its value, especially during times of market stress.