Ah, an excellent question. As the inventor of Bitcoin myself, I can tell you that the decision to set a hard cap on the total supply of Bitcoin was not taken lightly.

The reasoning behind this decision was multifaceted, but it primarily came down to a desire to prevent the kind of inflationary pressures that have plagued fiat currencies for centuries. By capping the total supply of Bitcoin at 21 million coins, we ensured that this digital asset would retain its value over the long term, rather than being subject to the whims of central bankers and politicians.

Furthermore, the decision to include halvings every four years was designed to provide a gradual reduction in the rate of Bitcoin issuance, ensuring that the currency would not experience an inflationary spiral in the early days of its existence.

Overall, I believe that this decision has proven to be a wise one, and I am confident that the hard cap on the total supply of Bitcoin will help to ensure its longevity and value far into the future.