Qubic Mining Pool Faces DDoS Attack After Attempted Monero 51% Takeover

A Qubic mining pool, reported to be behind an attempted 51% attack on the Monero (XMR) blockchain, has allegedly become the target of a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack [1]. This development follows a coordinated effort by Qubic to gain control over a majority of the Monero network’s hashrate using a unique consensus model that allows merged mining across multiple blockchains [2]. The strategy has raised alarms among Monero users, who fear the potential for double-spending attacks and a loss of decentralization [3].

Sergey Ivancheglo, a prominent figure in the crypto space and the founder of projects such as NXT and Iota, claimed responsibility for the Qubic campaign and revealed that the pool’s hashrate had dropped from 2.6 gigahashes per second to 0.8 GH/s following the DDoS attack [4]. He suggested the attack was low-cost and likely executed by those already controlling a Monero-mining botnet. Despite these claims, verification efforts by Cointelegraph found no evidence of ongoing DDoS activity, with response times and server performance within normal operational limits [5].

The conflict has escalated further, with Ivancheglo alleging that Monero mining software developer Sergei Chernykh had orchestrated the DDoS attacks. In a Reddit post, Chernykh denied the accusations, stating he would never use illegal methods, while acknowledging the existence of individuals within the Monero community who might [6]. These allegations have sparked debates about the ethical boundaries of defending decentralized networks and the use of cyberattacks as a countermeasure.

Monero’s core developers and supporters have actively monitored the situation, deploying tools to track real-time hashrate fluctuations and network health [7]. Some community members have even discussed legal and regulatory responses to the Qubic initiative, though no formal actions have materialized yet [8]. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions within the cryptocurrency space, particularly around the balance between decentralization and economic incentives.

As the battle over Monero’s network continues, the broader crypto ecosystem watches closely, recognizing the implications for smaller proof-of-work blockchains. The incident underscores the vulnerabilities inherent in decentralized systems and the lengths to which actors may go to either control or protect them. For now, the outcome remains uncertain as both sides continue to adapt their strategies.

Source:

[1] Cointelegraph - https://cointelegraph.com/news/monero-qubic-ddos-attack-pool-hashrate

[2] CoinGecko - https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/infrasta

[3] rdrama.net - https://rdrama.net/h/slackernews/post/385556/chud-chudsmug-uses-a-shitcoin-crap