How Can an Attacker Use Derivatives like Futures to Profit from a 51% Attack?

An attacker can open a short position using futures contracts on the target coin before launching the 51% attack. The attack causes network instability, a loss of trust, and a subsequent price crash.

The attacker profits handsomely from their short futures position as the price plummets. This strategy leverages the financial derivative market to monetize the technical attack, maximizing the return on their hashrate rental investment.