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Bitcoin vs monero: what drives their rivalry?

Bitcoiners Target Monero | Drama Erupts in Crypto Scene

By

Vitalik Buterin

Aug 17, 2025, 11:31 PM

3 minutes of duration

A visual representation of Bitcoin and Monero logos facing off, highlighting their rivalry over privacy and transparency in cryptocurrency.
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In a surprising twist, a faction of the Bitcoin community is publicly celebrating a failed 51% attack on Monero's network, raising eyebrows and sparking fierce debate. What motivates this animosity towards the privacy coin?

Tensions Surface in the Crypto Community

Recent events have led Bitcoin enthusiasts to launch what many perceive as a coordinated attack against Monero, the leading privacy coin. Misinformation abounds as Bitcoin supporters allegedly herald an unsuccessful 51% attack as a "catastrophic success." This unusual behavior appears to contradict the foundational values of the cryptocurrency movementโ€”privacy and freedom.

"Et tu, Brute? It feels like betrayal," one observer noted. "It's surprising to see Bitcoiners abandon their early ethos."

As factions within this growing digital landscape clash, the underlying fear seems to stem from an acknowledgement: Monero presents a challenge to Bitcoinโ€™s perceived dominance. Unlike Bitcoin, known as the lion of the crypto jungle, Monero operates quietly, preferring the shadows to spotlight.

Wolves vs. Lions: A Competitive Niche

Bitcoiners donโ€™t fear Monero because of its limited market cap; they fear it for the threat it poses to their model. Moneroโ€™s commitment to privacy exposes a fundamental flaw in Bitcoin's transparent blockchain.

"They know that the Wolf can outsmart the Lion," echoed one user board commentator. This competition for being the go-to sovereign currency in digital finance intensifies as Bitcoin aligns with institutional investors and regulatory bodies, effectively becoming a domesticated version of itself.

Reality Check for Privacy Coins

As central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) loom on the horizonโ€”complete with expiration dates and transaction restrictionsโ€”public interest in privacy-centric cryptocurrencies like Monero is expected to surge. Users are looking for alternatives as control over their financial freedom diminishes.

One commenter put it succinctly: "People wonโ€™t look for the traceable lion when they need the Wolf in the forest." The anticipated demand for Monero could lead to explosive growth driven by necessity, rather than speculation, as some foresee.

"Monero is everything that everyone thinks Bitcoin is," remarked a user, highlighting the fundamental differences between the two cryptocurrencies.

Key Insights from the Discussion

The backlash against Monero from the Bitcoin community reveals layers of concern:

  • ๐Ÿ” Transparency Issues: Bitcoin's transparency is viewed as a weakness by proponents of Monero.

  • ๐Ÿ”— Future Demand: Increased interest in privacy coins expected as CBDCs threaten user autonomy.

  • ๐Ÿ”ฅ Fear Factor: Bitcoin supporters recognize Monero's potential to disrupt the crypto space.

What Lies Ahead for Crypto Rivalry

There's a strong chance that the tensions between Bitcoin and Monero will increase as more people seek financial independence from centralized systems. With the rise of CBDCs, experts estimate around 60% of crypto holders may explore alternatives like Monero for the privacy it offers. As this trend grows, Bitcoiners might double down on their attacks, fueled by fear rather than just competition. Over the next few months, expect to see heightened efforts from both camps, with Bitcoin promoting its institutional ties while Monero attracts users seeking untraceable transactionsโ€”ultimately reshaping the crypto heavyweights.

A Historical Reflection from the Cold War

This situation resembles the Cold War, where two superpowers, the U.S. and the Soviet Union, constantly strove for dominance. As both sides engaged in propaganda and positioned themselves in the global landscape, smaller nations began seeking alliances based on their needs rather than allegiance to either superpower. Similarly, today's crypto holders may align with privacy coins like Monero not merely as a reaction to Bitcoin, but as a statement of autonomy in an evolving digital financial world. This historic rivalry underlines how shifts in perception can lead communities to favor innovation that promotes freedom over established dominance.