Analyzing the Cost to Execute 51% Attacks on Bitcoin and Ethereum

Azeez Mustapha

Updated:

Unlock Daily Forex Signals

Select a Plan

£39

1 - month
Subscription

Select

£89

3 - month
Subscription

Select

£129

6 - month
Subscription

Select

£399

Lifetime
Subscription

Select

£50

Separate Swing Trading Group

Select

Or

Get VIP forex signals, VIP crypto signals, swing signals, and forex course free for lifetime.

Just open an account with one our affiliate broker and make a minimum deposit: 250 USD.

Email [email protected] with a screenshot of funds on account to get access!

Sponsored by

Sponsored Sponsored
Checkmark

Service for copy trading. Our Algo automatically opens and closes trades.

Checkmark

The L2T Algo provides highly profitable signals with minimal risk.

Checkmark

24/7 cryptocurrency trading. While you sleep, we trade.

Checkmark

10 minute setup with substantial advantages. The manual is provided with the purchase.

Checkmark

79% Success rate. Our outcomes will excite you.

Checkmark

Up to 70 trades per month. There are more than 5 pairs available.

Checkmark

Monthly subscriptions begin at £58.


Based on CoinMetrics’ findings, mounting an attack on Bitcoin could range from $5 billion to $20 billion, whereas targeting Ethereum would necessitate over $34 billion.

A 51% attack arises when either a single miner or a collective group of miners manages over fifty percent of a blockchain network’s hash rate.

In theory, this could empower the attacker to obstruct transactions within the blockchain, manipulate the order of new transactions, and potentially reverse previous transactions (known as “double spending”) by tampering with blockchain data.

Nonetheless, a recent investigation suggests that conducting such attacks is economically impractical given the existing security configurations of Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Not Worth the Effort: Assessing the Viability of Attacking Bitcoin and Ethereum
As of December 31, 2023, and based on an Ethereum price of $2,279, a total staked ETH of 28.8 million, and a validator count of 899,840, CoinMetrics’ analysis indicates that an attacker would need around $34.39 billion to carry out a 34% attack on the network.

If this attack were launched on December 31, 2023, it would take the attacker until June 14, 2024, to surpass the 33% threshold required to gain control over the network. Similarly, attacking Bitcoin would present considerable hurdles.

Researchers estimate that the attacker would face production costs exceeding $20 billion, as they would need to manufacture nearly 40 million units of the S9.

By December 2023, employing the most potent ASIC on the market, such as the upcoming Bitmain S21, would amount to approximately $5.6 billion, roughly a quarter of the cost associated with utilizing the S9.

This calculation is derived from a unit price of $2,240 and a projected production volume of 2.5 million machines.

Although this approach is more economical compared to the “naive” method, the study emphasizes that manufacturing at this efficiency and scale would necessitate collaboration with the manufacturer.

Nonetheless, the attacker is likely to face challenges related to the supply chain and potential retaliatory actions.

The research findings indicate that the security protocols of Bitcoin and Ethereum have advanced to a point where the risks and expenses associated with 51% attacks far surpass any potential advantages.
Analyzing the Cost to Execute 51% Attack on Bitcoin and EthereumThis suggests that aggressive maneuvers become less enticing when contrasted with alternative approaches such as active participation in the network or abstaining from hostile actions.

Beyond Major Blockchains: Broadening the Scope of 51% Attack Risks
While this evaluation holds validity for prominent blockchains like Bitcoin and Ethereum, it doesn’t necessarily apply to numerous other networks that have emerged over the past decade.

For instance, Bitcoin SV, a blockchain created through a split from Bitcoin Cash and advocated mainly by entrepreneurs Calvin Ayre and Craig Wright, encountered three separate 51% attack incidents in 2021.

Likewise, the less recognized privacy-focused cryptocurrency Firo, formerly known as Zcoin, underwent a similar ordeal. Even Ethereum Classic didn’t escape the attention of malicious actors.

To have the best trading experience with us, open an account at Longhorn

  • Broker
  • Benefits
  • Min Deposit
  • Score
  • Visit Broker
  • Award-winning Cryptocurrency trading platform
  • $100 minimum deposit,
  • FCA & Cysec regulated
$100 Min Deposit
9.8
  • 20% welcome bonus of upto $10,000
  • Minimum deposit $100
  • Verify your account before the bonus is credited
$100 Min Deposit
9
  • Over 100 different financial products
  • Invest from as little as $10
  • Same-day withdrawal is possible
$250 Min Deposit
9.8
  • The Lowest Trading Costs
  • 50% Welcome Bonus
  • Award-winning 24 Hour Support
$50 Min Deposit
9
  • Fund Moneta Markets account with a minimum of $250
  • Opt in using the form to claim your 50% deposit bonus
$250 Min Deposit
9

Share with other traders!

Azeez Mustapha

Azeez Mustapha is a trading professional, currency analyst, signals strategist, and funds manager with over ten years of experience within the financial field. As a blogger and finance author, he helps investors understand complex financial concepts, improve their investing skills, and learn how to manage their money.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *