Proof-of-Burn (PoB) is an algorithm that uses burning to help computers (called “nodes”) reach consensus on a decentralized blockchain network. In this model, nodes validating transactions must burn a percentage of their coin holdings to have a chance to verify new blocks on the payment ledger and receive rewards. Although PoB isn’t as mainstream as the Proof-of-Work (PoW) and Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus models, it combines elements from these systems in addition to its distinctive burning mechanism. PoB and PoS share a connection because both systems ask nodes to use the chain’s native cryptocurrency to verify blocks. However, on PoS networks, people lock their assets on a blockchain rather than burn it.
Some projects include this process from the beginning, as part of the protocol itself, while others choose to take it on in some form later down the line. It operates on the principle of allowing miners to burn virtual currency tokens. They are then granted the right to write blocks (mine) in proportion to the coins burnt. Crypto burning can happen at any time by the developers or the organization behind a particular cryptocurrency.
Online Investments
If the burn involved a considerable amount of coins, it could affect the market price of the coin. A coin burn is, whether you like it or not, part of how the blockchain works. It can be used to artificially inflate the value of a coin, whether you think this is the right way to operate a cryptocurrency or not.

At the time of Riley’s slip-up, CryptoPunk #685 was valued at approximately $129,000 USD. In this, rather than return it to its original owners, it goes to those who lost it in unintentional transactions. Binance, and other developers, can control the inflation rates of their tokens by burning them in mass periodically. Burning can also be performed by crypto miners, who are usually responsible for putting crypto coins into circulation in the first place. This is because the burning process is also related to the Proof of Burn (or PoB) mechanism. Coin burning is what happens when a coin needs to be taken out of circulation so that it can no longer be bought, sold, staked, or used at all.
Great Companies Need Great People. That’s Where We Come In.
The upgrade takes place as a transaction and needs to burn some coins to execute. On the other hand, some coins just don’t need to be burned due to their supply limit. Bitcoin, for example, has a relatively low supply limit of 21 million coins. Because 90% of this total amount is already in circulation, it’s expected that, as the limit edges closer, the price of Bitcoin will rise once the supply can no longer meet the demand. We’re not suggesting you burn your favorite Bored Ape just yet, of course! Simply that we acknowledge this very interesting concept, where ownership means the ability to both create and destroy.

This can increase token value, produce value stability or in some cases, be creative with the concept of value. That’s a great question – and the answer can be found with a quick recap of the dynamics of supply and demand. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Get stock recommendations, portfolio guidance, and more from The Motley Fool’s premium services. In practice, the deflationary tactic has produced other favorable outcomes.
Boosting investor confidence
Token burn refers to permanently removing a specific number of tokens from circulation. This is accomplished by sending the tokens to a public address from which they can never be recovered. Token burn is a deflationary mechanism where the total number of tokens in circulation decreases over time. Coin burning is just the process of locking them in an inaccessible wallet so that they are taken out of circulation on the blockchain. One of the few differences between PoB and PoS is that PoS involves holders staking their tokens held on the blockchain to have the chance to mine coins. There’s also the proof-of-work (PoW) method, where blockchains have to rely on heavy computing power that consumes massive amounts of energy.
In a coin burn structure, the ‘cost’ that a user indirectly ‘pays’ from destroying the coin is a value-enhancing proposition for every user in the network since supply is reduced. Therefore, it can be argued that a coin burning mechanism is a more equitable and fairer way of distributing value to all participants in the network. There are coins that employ a Proof-of-Burn (POB) consensus mechanism, which requires miners to show verifiable proof on the blockchain that they have burnt (destroyed) a portion of their coins.
Curated Extinction: Token Burning for Art
While it can lead to value appreciation and increased trust in a project, it can also raise concerns about the long-term supply and potential market manipulation. Every strategic action has its benefits and drawbacks, and burning crypto is no exception. Understanding these pros and cons can offer insights into the broader implications of such actions in the cryptocurrency domain. By following this sequence, projects ensure that the token burn is conducted transparently, effectively, and in the best interests of the community and stakeholders.
If it concerns the supply and demand, you may wonder does coin burn increase the price of the remaining coins? However, the coin burn does more than that, which we will discuss in this article. Developers can claim to burn tokens when they’re actually sending those tokens to a wallet they control. To avoid this, it’s important to do your research on the crypto you’re investing in or stick to safer cryptocurrency stocks. Some cryptocurrency developers intentionally burn tokens to accomplish these tasks. There is no evidence yet that burning cryptocurrency tokens increases the value of that specific cryptocurrency.
Advantages of a Proof-of-Burn Protocol
In the broader context of token burns, POB provides an energy-efficient alternative to POW without the need for massive energy consumption during the mining process. Some projects opt for a unique approach where, instead of distributing dividends or rewards to holders, they burn tokens. The idea is that by reducing the supply, the value of the remaining tokens might increase, benefiting all holders indirectly.
- This level of transparency and verifiability adds an element of trust.
- Binance, and other developers, can control the inflation rates of their tokens by burning them in mass periodically.
- The information provided in this content by Coinpedia Academy is for general knowledge and educational purpose only.
- This is often referred to as ‘black hole’ because no one can obtain the private keys to that address.
- It’d be best to check the application or platform you’re using to see if it offers crypto burning to users.