[thelema314]

I expect this will cause little problem; if 1M bitcoins are lost, the system will just work as if there were only 20M bitcoins created instead of 21M bitcoins. Everything would be a little less expensive because bitcoins would each be worth about 5% more.

[SODaniel]

Nope. Since no one can ever satisfactory answer the question of the 'real' amount of BTC in circulation, this will only serve as a factor of uncertainty. Lost bitcoins affect nothing, FOUND bitcoins can affect everything.

[anonymoushn]

So, MV=PQ and all that. Lost bitcoins are functionally identical to any other bitcoins that aren't being spent. Burning dollar bills does not move the price of the dollar in a different way than keeping them in your pocket.