How Does the Concept of “Immutability” Relate to a Successful 51% Attack?
Immutability refers to the idea that the transaction history on a blockchain, once recorded, cannot be changed. A successful 51% attack temporarily compromises this immutability by forcing a chain reorganization, effectively rewriting a portion of the recent transaction history to reverse a double-spend.
While the core protocol remains immutable, the specific transaction history is proven to be mutable under attack conditions.
Glossar
Principle of Immutability
Concept ⎊ Principle of Immutability dictates that once a transaction is recorded and sufficiently confirmed within the blockchain, it cannot be altered or reversed by any single entity or group, forming the basis of ledger integrity.
Immutability
Provenance ⎊ Immutability within cryptocurrency, options, and derivatives signifies the unalterable record of transaction history and contract terms, crucial for establishing trust and mitigating counterparty risk.
Transaction History
Historical Record ⎊ Transaction History is the complete, ordered sequence of all validated transfers and smart contract interactions associated with a specific public address or the entire blockchain ledger, forming the immutable audit trail.