Cryptocurrency Supply: the Difference between Circulating Supply, Total Supply and Maximum Supply

Cryptocurrency supply is the predetermined amount of coins/tokens that will be issued of a cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency supply can be characterized either as fixed or infinite.

A fixed supply means a cryptocurrency is issued in a particular and limited amount.

Example:

Bitcoin is issued in a fixed maximum supply of 21,000,000 BTC.

An infinite supply of a cryptocurrency implies an unlimited supply of a coin or a token that can be generated or mined at any time.

Example:

ETH does not have any fixed maximum supply and can be produced endlessly.

As a rule, there are three types of cryptocurrency supply: circulating, total and maximum.