The maximum amount is 21 million. About 19 million have been “mined.”
A critical question.
Unless investors know how many Bitcoins are in circulation (aka - "the float"), it is impossible to calculate the value of one Bitcoin.
As of today, every Bitcoin sale, purchase, or transaction is purely speculative.
Second issue - in a strict legal sense, how do you prove ownership of any particular Bitcoin?
Since anonymity is a central feature of Bitcoins, you have no legal recourse if someone hacks into your account, and moves your Bitcoins to a new account.
Final issue - Block Chain.
I do not get it.
Anyone with basic computer skills could have created Block Chain 30 years ago.
Buy a public website.
Publish a "Write Once - Read Only" Excel Spread Sheet.
Conceal millions of Crypto Coins behind 64 random character passwords.
Presto - Block Chain!
In spite of my current doubts, I think digital currency will eventually dominate business transactions.
Until someone turns off the electricity, anyway!