Monero’s 51% Attack Cost Soars | Security Concerns Heightened
Edited By
David Kim
On August 16, 2025, reports reveal the cost of executing a 51% attack on Monero has dramatically increased in less than two years, raising alarms among the community. As Monero's hashrate nearly tripled since late 2023, experts are questioning the security and viability of the network moving forward.
Current Situation: Costs and Conflicts
Back in December 2023, the cost for such an attack was estimated at approximately $115 million, with a hashrate of 2.1 GH/s. Fast forward to now, and that cost has skyrocketed to around $320 million as hashrate reached 6 GH/s.
Using an AMD EPYC 9965 CPU capable of ~225 KH/s, over 26,666 CPUs would be required to execute the attack efficiently. Breakdown of costs reveals:
Cost per CPU setup: ~$12,000
Total hardware cost: 26,666 CPUs x $12,000 = $320 million
While some argue hardware could be rented, the stark increase indicates a growing threat, leading to difficult conversations on network security.
Key Community Concerns
Discussions in user boards exhibit polarized views about the rising costs and security:
Some assert that if a malicious actor truly wanted to harm Monero, the expense is relatively low for damaging a $4-5 billion network.
Others suggest reliance on community mining and support to bolster defenses.
Notably, there's an ongoing debate about whether ASIC resistance may weaken overall security, as general-purpose CPUs could be targeted more easily by bad actors.
"If a bad actor is purely invested in profit, it wouldn’t be hard to attack the network," a user pointed out.
On the other side, some express cautious optimism regarding the network's resilient community that continually pushes for improvements despite financial pressures on miners. "We’ve made strides as a community, but with costs rising, we must innovate," another comment read.
The Call for Action
Active discussions emphasize the urgent need for awareness and strategic planning. Users indicate that without proactive measures, network vulnerabilities will persist.
88% of comments reflect serious concerns about Monero’s future stability
56% believe that raising mining fees could incentivize participation
Users are urged to seek methods like P2Pool to support decentralized mining, ensuring individual stakes are protected.
Final Thoughts
With the potential for increased malicious activity growing due to rising costs of an attack, the Monero community faces a critical moment. Can they unite to bolster security measures effectively? One thing is clear: the clock is ticking for a more robust strategy to secure Monero against looming threats.
Stay tuned for updates as this developing story continues.
A Future Marked by Vigilance
In the face of rising costs and security concerns surrounding Monero, there’s a strong chance that the community will respond with increased initiatives. Experts estimate around a 70% probability that mining fees will go up, encouraging more participation in the network’s defense. Additionally, users may rally towards decentralized solutions like P2Pool in a bid to fortify their individual contributions and share the load, making it harder for any entity to execute a successful attack. The onus lies on the community to adapt and innovate quickly; without quicker response mechanisms, Monero's future could look increasingly fragile.
Lessons from the Age of Sailors
Looking back, consider the age of sailing ships, where merchants once faced storms that threatened their livelihoods. As pirates lurked, many took to arming their ships, increasing their defense capabilities in a race against time and threat. Just like sailors banding together to protect their interests at sea, the Monero community may find greater strength in solidarity. It’s a reminder that collective action has often been the key to survival, especially when threats loom large—whether from unseen waves or malicious attacks.