51% Attack

A 51% attack occurs when a single entity or group gains control over more than 50% of the nodes within a blockchain network. This situation compromises the decentralized consensus of the network, potentially leading to manipulative actions. If attackers possess over 50% control, they can disrupt, reverse, or duplicate new transactions, which can have devastating consequences for the affected blockchain. Notably, the difficulty and cost of executing a 51% attack increase as the network becomes larger, more decentralized, and more valuable.