Total supply in cryptocurrency refers to the total number of coins or tokens that currently exist, excluding any that have been permanently burned or removed from circulation. It represents all tokens that have been created so far, including those in circulation and those held or locked by the project’s team, foundation, or smart contracts.

Understanding total supply is important because it helps investors gauge a cryptocurrency’s scarcity and potential value. For example, a lower total supply often suggests that each coin could become more valuable if demand rises, while a higher supply might limit price growth unless adoption increases significantly.

Total supply differs from circulating supply, which only counts the coins available for public trading. It also differs from maximum supply, which is the highest number of coins that will ever exist. Bitcoin, for instance, has a maximum supply of 21 million, but its total supply will not reach that number until all coins are mined.

Tracking total supply also helps identify inflation or deflation within a crypto project. If new tokens are constantly being added, it may dilute existing value, while token burns can make remaining coins more scarce. In short, total supply gives traders and investors a clearer view of a cryptocurrency’s structure, scarcity, and long-term economic design.