Ethereum More Secure Than Bitcoin, Says Researcher
Justin Drake claims Ethereum's PoS makes it costlier to attack than Bitcoin's PoW.
- Ethereum’s PoS needs over $44B to attack, says Justin Drake
- Bitcoin could be attacked for around $10B
- PoS design may offer Ethereum stronger security
Comparing the Costs of Attacking Bitcoin vs Ethereum
In a recent interview, Ethereum researcher Justin Drake sparked a lively discussion in the crypto community by comparing the security models of Bitcoin and Ethereum. According to Drake, Ethereum’s proof-of-stake (PoS) system makes it far more expensive and complex to attack than Bitcoin’s proof-of-work (PoW) mechanism.
Drake estimates that a successful 51% attack on Bitcoin — which would allow malicious actors to potentially rewrite the blockchain — could cost about $10 billion. This figure includes the cost of hardware, electricity, and coordination needed to gain majority control of the Bitcoin network’s hash rate.
In contrast, to attack Ethereum under its PoS model, an attacker would need to control more than 50% of all staked ETH. With the current value of staked ETH estimated at $44.8 billion, such an attack would be significantly more costly. Moreover, the price of ETH could rise sharply in response to an attack attempt, further increasing the cost and complexity of any malicious action.
Why Ethereum’s PoS May Offer Stronger Defense
Ethereum transitioned from PoW to PoS in 2022, with security being a major driver for the switch. In PoS, validators stake their ETH as collateral, which can be “slashed” or destroyed if they behave dishonestly.
This model creates a high financial barrier to malicious activity. Unlike Bitcoin miners who could sell their hardware after an attack, Ethereum attackers would lose their staked ETH permanently. The economic disincentive makes large-scale attacks less attractive or feasible.
According to Drake, this difference marks a key advantage for Ethereum. He suggests that Bitcoin’s relatively lower attack cost could pose long-term security concerns, especially as mining rewards decline over time.
Is Bitcoin’s Security Falling Behind?
While Bitcoin remains the most recognized and widely used cryptocurrency, Ethereum’s evolving architecture may position it as a more resilient blockchain. Drake’s comments highlight a growing divide in how crypto networks approach long-term security.
Still, it’s important to note that both networks have proven robust and secure to date. Whether Ethereum’s PoS continues to offer greater protection than Bitcoin’s PoW remains a topic for ongoing debate.
Read Also:
- Institutions Return to Bitcoin After Q1 Selloff
- New Millionaires Loading: Arctic Pablo’s $0.008 Launch Looms as Melania Preps NFTs and Pudgy Airdrop Rumors Fly
- BlackRock’s Spot Bitcoin ETF Now Holds 631,962 BTC
- Bitcoin Illiquid Supply Hits Record 14M BTC
- Popcat Fizzles and Simon’s Cat Slides Lower While Troller Cat Hits $125K—Best Crypto to Buy Now
