Is Monero Still the King of Privacy After the 51% Attack?
Understanding the latest developments in crypto security and privacy features
The Supreme Court has established that the Fourth Amendment protects a "reasonable expectation of privacy". This means the protection extends to areas where an individual has a legitimate expectation of privacy, even if they are in a public space. (Katz v. United States).
The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution establishes that the rights of citizens cannot be made into privileges subject to state discretion. Section 1 of the amendment explicitly states that no state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.
Monero Update: Riding Out the Storm and Why It's Still a Privacy Shield
First up, the big buzz from August 2025: Monero faced a scary moment with what's being called a 51% attack attempt by a mining pool called Qubic. Basically, Qubic grabbed over half of Monero's mining power for a bit—peaking at around 77%—which let them mess with the blockchain, like reorganizing blocks or potentially double-spending coins.
This happened around mid-August, and it spooked the market—XMR's price dipped about 10-17% temporarily, sitting around $257-259 now, which is still up 60% from last year but down over 50% from its all-time high.
Exchanges like Kraken even paused deposits for a short time to play it safe.
But here's the cool part:
The network didn't break. No funds were lost, and things stabilized as Qubic's control slipped back to about 35%.
Now, the Monero community is stepping up with ideas to toughen things up, like tweaking the proof-of-work system, merging mining with bigger coins like Bitcoin, or borrowing tech from Dash called ChainLocks to lock in blocks faster and fend off attacks.
There's also ongoing work on Full-Chain Membership Proofs (FCMP++), which could make transactions even more efficient while keeping privacy intact.
It's like Monero got a stress test and is coming out stronger—proof that decentralized communities can adapt without a central boss calling the shots.
Now, why does all this highlight Monero's privacy power? At its heart, Monero is designed so no one can peek into your wallet without your say-so. Unlike Bitcoin, where transactions are out in the open for anyone to trace, Monero hides the sender, receiver, and amount by default. It uses ring signatures to mix your transaction with others, making it impossible to pinpoint who sent what—like shuffling cards in a deck so no one knows which is yours.
Stealth addresses create a fresh, unique spot for each incoming payment, so even if someone knows your main address, they can't link anything back to you. And confidential transactions mask the amounts, turning your finances into a black box. This makes every XMR truly interchangeable, or "fungible," without any baggage from past uses. In a time when governments and companies track every digital dime, Monero lets you move money like cash—quietly and without a trail.
Even with the attack drama, this privacy held up because the core tech wasn't breached; it was more about mining power concentration. Tools to trace Monero are getting better, but it's still miles ahead of most coins, which is why it's faced delistings from some exchanges but keeps thriving in privacy-focused spots.
So, what does this mean for you in real life?
Think about these scenarios to see how Monero could fit into your world:
Supporting causes without drama: Say you want to donate to a nonprofit in a tough spot, like journalists in a country with heavy censorship. With Monero, your support stays anonymous, avoiding any backlash or tracking that could put you or them at risk.
Everyday buys that stay personal: Need meds, counseling services, or even just online shopping for something private? Monero lets you pay without your bank or advertisers building a profile on your habits, keeping your health or preferences off the radar.
Freelancing across borders: If you're a remote worker in an unstable economy, getting paid in XMR means no high fees from banks, no frozen accounts due to politics, and no one snooping on your earnings. It's quick, borderless cash.
Protecting against hacks and theft: In a cyber-threat-filled world, Monero's hidden balances make your wallet less tempting. Hackers can't scout your holdings like they can with transparent chains, giving you an extra layer of security.
Standing up to censorship: During economic chaos or government crackdowns, Monero's resistance to seizures or blacklisting means your money stays yours. It's like having a backup plan when traditional systems fail.
Monero isn't perfect—it draws heat for its privacy features, and mining centralization is a wake-up call—but it's empowering folks who value control over their finances. If this sparks your interest, start small: grab a wallet like Cake Wallet, swap via a DEX, and test it out (ONLY IF YOU HAVE FIRST DONE YOUR OWN RESEARH, NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE).
What do you think?
God-Willing, see you at the next letter
GRACE & PEACE