Qubic's Monero 51% Attack Experiment: Network Reorganization and Massive Mining Output Reveal

In a significant security demonstration, Qubic has successfully conducted a controlled 51% attack on the Monero network, resulting in notable network disruptions including 6 block reorganizations and 60 orphaned blocks within a concentrated time frame.

Technical Execution and Network Impact

The experiment showcased Qubic’s computational dominance during its operational window. Within just two hours, Qubic’s mining infrastructure commanded over half the network’s total hash power, accumulating 80% of all Monero blocks produced during this period. The network witnessed its peak hash rate climb to 2.71 GH/s, accounting for 52% of the global Monero hash rate at that moment.

The mining activity led to concrete network changes: 6 blocks were reorganized from the canonical chain while 60 blocks entered an orphaned state—a clear demonstration of how hash rate concentration can reshape blockchain consensus.

Economic Output and Token Economics

The two-hour mining window proved economically substantial. Qubic mined approximately 750 XMR alongside 7 million XTM during this period. These earnings fed into Qubic’s token burn mechanism: the accumulated XTM (7 million units) combined with unsold Tari from previous operations, resulting in the destruction of 17.2 billion QUBIC tokens.

The token burn occurred at an average valuation of approximately 3,200 QUBIC per billion, translating to roughly $55,000 in destroyed value. In contrast, computors and miners collectively secured 62.2 billion QUBIC in rewards, valued at approximately $200,000—illustrating the experiment’s substantial economic implications.

Comparative Mining Profitability

Data analysis reveals a compelling economics story: Qubic’s current miner earnings are nearly four times higher than those achievable through standard Monero mining. A total of 5,506 Monero blocks were generated during the experimental operation, underscoring the scale of Qubic’s mining infrastructure during this controlled demonstration.

The 51% attack experiment remains active and ongoing, continuing to generate data for security researchers and network participants monitoring the demonstration.