Bitcoin SV, one of the two chains formed as a result of bitcoin cash hard fork last week, was most likely facing a block reorganization attack (reorg) on block # 557301, according to Bitcoin Cash Fork Monitor.
In blockchains using the proof-of-work (PoW) consensus mechanism, the node follows the chain with the largest amount of work done, which is expressed in the number of added blocks. When two miners find a block at the same time, a temporary fork appears. The miner who detects the next block, according to the rules of consensus, does more work, and therefore his chain becomes the main one, because of which all subsequent blocks from the main network are replaced with fork blocks, which is called blockchain reorganization.
Reorganization of blocks allows to delay or reverse transactions. It is not yet known whether the network was deliberately attacked or whether the consensus failed to happen by chance. Some representatives of the crypto community have suggested that the attack is designed to delay the process of opening deposits on the exchanges and possible massive sales.
The Bitmex exchange also announced that its bitcoin SV node registered a reorganization of two blocks. In this case, the platform believes that two blocks may be an insufficient confirmation of the fact of the attack.
Our Bitcoin SV node experienced a 2 block re-org at block 557301.
— BitMEX Research (@BitMEXResearch) November 19, 2018
In our view, 2 blocks may not be sufficient to conclude its an attack (false flag or not) pic.twitter.com/ingI40010P
CoinDance data also confirms that the reorg was only two blocks. Most likely, this case was unintentional, not an attack. Presumably, the reorg could be due to the poor network communication or block propagation.
Recall that last week hard fork in the BCH network took place. Two development teams that promoted incompatible bitcoin ABC and bitcoin SV clients successfully launched their new cryptocurrencies. This event was accompanied by loud disputes among the crypto community and even the so-called “hash war”.
The relative winner in this battle at the moment can be considered by bitcoin ABC. It was its many exchanges left under the old ticker BCH as if recognizing its "originality." Bitcoin cash is currently 48 blocks ahead, according to CoinDance.
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