Key Takeaways
- Samson Mow proposed a new Bitcoin unit called the 'Finney' to represent 1/21 million of supply.
- He highlighted how unit bias inflates altcoin valuations by recalculating them with Bitcoin's 21M cap.
- The debate drew attention to altcoins' lack of supply caps and Bitcoin's fixed scarcity.
On April 19, 2025, JAN3 CEO Samson Mow proposed introducing a new unit of Bitcoin—dubbed the “Finney”—to represent one twenty-one millionth of the total supply.
The suggestion came amid a broader discussion about how investors perceive value across Bitcoin and altcoins, especially in relation to unit bias.
Unit bias & altcoin valuations
Mow emphasized the psychological distortion caused by unit bias, which makes altcoins seem cheaper due to their high supply.
He recalculated altcoin valuations by hypothetically limiting their supply to 21 million coins, the same cap as Bitcoin.
By this metric, one “alt-Bitcoin” of Ethereum would cost $9,200, XRP $5,800, and Solana $3,400.
Mow posted on X:
Most alts take advantage of unit bias by utilizing a very high supply, so people can’t figure out what they’re buying. Unit bias is absolutely destroying the uninitiated.
Most alts take advantage of unit bias by utilizing a very high supply, so people can't figure out what they're buying.
— Samson Mow (@Excellion) April 19, 2025
"XRP is *only* $2 but Bitcoin is too expensive at $85,000!"
Unit bias is absolutely destroying the uninitiated.#Bitcoin only.
Community response
He argued for the “Finney” unit—historically equal to 10 satoshis—to instead represent 1/21 million of the Bitcoin supply.
Critics responded that “one Bitcoin” already serves that purpose.
Others offered humorous alternatives like “Finnaire” and “Finnero,” while some, including Chris Krause, supported the Finney name as a tribute to early pioneer Hal Finney.
Altcoin critique
Mow’s critique of altcoin valuation also resonated broadly.
Swiss Hodler posted:
The alts are worth zero. The crypto bros just don’t know it yet.
Others pointed out the lack of hard supply caps on many altcoins as a fundamental flaw.
