Emission is the process and pace at which cryptocurrency units are issued or distributed under a project’s rules. In a blockchain’s monetary policy, it often means newly created coins. In token incentive programs, the same word can describe distributions from an already existing reserve, so the underlying mechanism matters.
Where new units come from
Networks may issue coins as mining or staking rewards. A schedule can specify units per block, amounts per period, or a formula linked to participation. Protocol upgrades or authorized governance processes may change some schedules; others are designed around a fixed issuance limit.
Rewards funded by transaction fees redistribute existing units. Likewise, releasing previously minted tokens from a vesting contract does not itself create additional total supply, although circulating supply may increase.
Gross issuance and net supply
Emission should be compared with burning and the relevant supply measure. If a hypothetical network creates 100 units and burns 70 during a period, total supply rises by 30, assuming no other supply changes. Gross issuance remains 100.
Ethereum illustrates this distinction: proof-of-stake rewards issue ETH while fee burning removes ETH. Emission alone therefore cannot determine net supply growth, selling pressure, or a token’s future price.