04.08.2025 21:20

A significant attempt to seize control of the Monero network recently unfolded, leaving the cryptocurrency community in turmoil. The incident began with Qubic, a prominent mining pool, amassing over 51% of the network's hashing power, a feat that threatened the integrity of the Monero blockchain. This ambitious takeover attempt, however, was swiftly met with resistance.

Within hours of reaching its peak hashrate of 2.6 gigahashes per second (GH/s), Qubic experienced a substantial drop to 0.8 GH/s due to a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack. This dramatic reduction, effectively crippling two-thirds of Qubic's mining operations, significantly hampered the attempted takeover. Sergey Ivancheglo, a well-known figure in the cryptocurrency space, publicly claimed responsibility for Qubic's actions via a post on X (formerly Twitter), adding a layer of unexpected complexity to the situation.

Despite the DDoS attack, Ivancheglo asserted that his team's security measures prevented any blockchain disruptions or service outages. He maintained that the network remained operational, though the pool faced persistent pressure and the situation continued to evolve dynamically throughout the day. However, this claim was immediately challenged.

The tense situation escalated further when Ivancheglo publicly accused the developer of the XMRig Monero mining software of orchestrating the DDoS attack as a protective measure. This accusation, shared on X, ignited a firestorm of online debate. The XMRig developer, Chernykh, vehemently denied any involvement, publicly asserting that their team had never engaged in illegal activities to safeguard the Monero protocol. This rebuttal sparked fervent discussions across various online platforms, including Telegram, with the Monero community deeply divided over the legitimacy of both actions. The controversy highlights the complex security challenges inherent in decentralized cryptocurrencies.