What Is a 51% Attack and How Does It Affect a Cryptocurrency Network? ▴ Learn

What Is a 51% Attack and How Does It Affect a Cryptocurrency Network?

A 51% attack occurs when a single entity gains control of more than half (51%) of a blockchain's total mining or staking power. This control allows them to exclusively order transactions and reverse previously confirmed transactions, leading to double-spending.

The primary effect is the loss of trust, network instability, and financial damage due to the successful reversal of transactions, which is critical for exchanges and users.

What Is a “Race Attack” and How Does It Differ from a Standard Double-Spend?

How Does a 51 Percent Attack Leverage Control over the Hashing Power?

What Is the Concept of “Rented Hash Power” and Its Risk to Smaller Chains?

Explain the Concept of a “51% Attack” in the Context of Network Hash Rate