What Role Do Exchanges Play in Preventing Losses from 51% Attacks?

Exchanges are the primary targets and first line of defense against 51% attacks. They prevent losses by increasing the number of block confirmations required for deposits, especially for low-hashrate coins.

A higher confirmation count makes it more expensive and time-consuming for an attacker to secretly mine a longer, malicious chain. Some exchanges also implement real-time monitoring of hashrate spikes to temporarily halt deposits and withdrawals upon detection.