THREAT OF 51 % ATTACK FOR LOW-HASHRATE CRYPTOCURRENCIES

Abstract

51 % attacks pose a serious threat to the security of blockchains, especially for digital currencies (DCs) with a low hash rate, which makes them vulnerable to manipulation and loss of trust by users.Purpose. Research into the threats of 51 % attacks in blockchains with low hashrate, in particular for CCs and cryptocurrency exchanges (CCEs), with the aim of developing effective countermeasure strategies using intelligent information systems (IIS) and game theory.Methodology. The review and analysis of previous research conducted within the article showed that this threat requires a comprehensive approach to protection. The article substantiates the use of game theory as a tool for analyzing the strategies of both parties, which can significantly improve the understanding of the dynamics of interaction between defenders and attackers, which in the future will allow developing more effective proactive measures to protect DCs and cryptocurrency exchanges (CEs), including using the potential of intelligent information systems (IIS).Scientific novelty. IIS may include a module for assessing the strategies of the parties to resist attacks, as well as the financial resources of the parties to the confrontation, which will help predict the possibility of implementing 51 % attacks or, conversely, effectively counteract them. It is shown that none of the protection methods is universal, therefore, combining different approaches is critically necessary to create sustainable solutions that can effectively respond to new threats, both for DCs and CEs.Conclusion. Future research should focus on the development and testing of new game models for the computational core of the IIS, which will integrate existing approaches and take into account the evolution of attack and protection methods in cryptocurrency systems, which will not only increase the level of security, but also ensure user trust in digital currencies, which, in turn, is important for their successful implementation and use in financial systems.