Bitcoin faces a looming 51% attack threat from two powerful miners.

Bitcoin faces a looming 51% attack threat from two powerful miners.

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Recent developments have raised concerns about Bitcoin’s security as two mining pools gain control over more than 50% of its hashing power. This situation not only threatens the stability of Bitcoin but also poses challenges for the broader cryptocurrency market.

Dominance of Two Mining Pools Over Bitcoin’s Hash Power

Foundry USA and AntPool have emerged as major players, now controlling more than half of Bitcoin’s total hashing power. This unprecedented concentration is raising alarms within the cryptocurrency community.

In a rare occurrence, Foundry mined eight consecutive blocks, which intensified fears about centralization in the network. As control consolidates with just two entities, experts warn that Bitcoin is now technically vulnerable to a 51% attack. Such an attack could allow dominant miners to reorganize blocks, censor transactions, or undermine trust in the network. While the cost of executing such an attack is estimated to be around $1.1 trillion, the concentration of power has raised significant red flags across the cryptocurrency landscape.

Increase in Empty Blocks and Decline in Fees

Concurrently, analysts have observed a worrying trend of increasing empty blocks being mined. These blocks result in lower transaction fees, leading to dwindling miner revenues and inefficient network usage. This scenario has further fueled concerns regarding Bitcoin’s long-term sustainability as users demand greater blockchain efficiency.

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Despite some commentators arguing that a 51% attack would require astronomical investments that no rational actor would make against their own network, the perception of risk continues to shake market confidence.

Bitcoin Price Approaches Key Support Levels

Security concerns come at a critical juncture for Bitcoin’s price. After peaking at a historic high of $124,000 last week, Bitcoin (BTC) has plunged to around $113,000. It is now nearing a crucial support level at approximately $110,530, where buying interest is anticipated.

Should the price hold above this level, it could rebound towards $120,000, and possibly even $124,474. However, if Bitcoin falls below the $110,530 support area, it could decline further to around $107,000 or even $100,000. Current short-term charts indicate bearish momentum as the relative strength index sits in negative territory, and the 20-day moving average trends downward.

Macroeconomic Concerns Amplify Pressure on Cryptocurrency Markets

Apart from technical charts, macroeconomic shocks are weighing heavily on market sentiment. A recent policy shift by the Federal Reserve, coupled with Wall Street’s warnings about the implications of the newly passed Genius Act concerning stablecoins, has unsettled investors.

There are fears that this legislation may trigger a wave of withdrawals totaling up to $6.6 trillion, posing systemic risks for both banking and cryptocurrency markets.

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