Qubic’s 51% Attack Reorganizes Monero and Drops XMR Price
On August 12, 2025, Qubic mining pool launched a 51% attack on Monero, briefly controlling over 50% of network hash rate and forcing multiple chain reorganizations. The assault triggered a steep XMR price drop—peaking at 13% to around $252—and spurred a 4% rise in QUBIC token value via its $1.6 million-monthly profit-burn mechanism. While Qubic held the power to orphan blocks, it refrained. Some analysts question the attack’s full success amid mixed block data and possible API changes. Industry experts estimate maintaining this dominance costs $75 million daily, threatening honest miners and exposing Monero’s vulnerability to centralization. In response, developers and miners are boosting hash rate before the upcoming halving and deploying new 51% attack protections. Traders should watch for protocol updates, mining diversification efforts, and the balance between economic incentives and network security.
Bearish
The 51% attack has already triggered a sharp XMR price decline, reflecting immediate selling pressure and heightened market risk perception. In the short term, this could fuel further volatility as traders reposition or exit XMR holdings. Over the long term, Monero’s reputation for network security is challenged by hashrate centralization concerns, which may dampen investor confidence and hinder price recovery until robust protocol and diversification measures are proven effective. Overall, the market outlook for XMR remains bearish while uncertainty over Monero’s resilience persists.