Foundry USA and AntPool Control Over 51% of Bitcoin’s Hashrate in 2025: Should You Worry?

• Why Is a 51% Hashrate Dominance Alarming?
• Has Bitcoin Ever Faced a Real 51% Attack?
• Industrial Centralization vs. Protocol Flaws
• FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered

As of August 2025, Foundry USA and AntPool collectively dominate 51.57% of Bitcoin’s global hashrate, sparking renewed concerns about centralization and potential 51% attacks. While the risk exists in theory, historical precedents and the decentralized nature of mining pools suggest the threat is overstated. This article breaks down the mechanics of a 51% attack, examines past scares like GHash.io in 2014, and explores why industrial centralization—not protocol flaws—is the real issue facing bitcoin mining today. Data sourced from CoinMarketCap and TradingView.

Why Is a 51% Hashrate Dominance Alarming?

When two mining pools—Foundry USA (33.63%) and AntPool (17.94%)—control over half of Bitcoin’s hashrate, the network’s foundational promise of decentralization feels shaky. A 51% attack could let these entities rewrite transaction histories, double-spend coins, or censor payments. But here’s the twist: Foundry and AntPool don’t own the hardware. They’re aggregators for thousands of independent miners worldwide. Colluding WOULD require convincing all those miners to betray the network—a logistical nightmare. As the BTCC team notes, "It’s like herding cats with opposing profit motives."

Has Bitcoin Ever Faced a Real 51% Attack?

Nope. The closest brush was in 2014 when GHash.io briefly hit 51% hashrate. The community’s backlash was swift: miners fled the pool within days, proving social pressure works. Fast-forward to 2025, and the stakes are higher. Foundry USA mined six consecutive blocks last week—statistically rare but not proof of malice. "Mining streaks happen," admits a veteran analyst. "The system self-corrects via difficulty adjustments."

Industrial Centralization vs. Protocol Flaws

Bitcoin’s code remains decentralized, but mining? That’s another story. Five pools now command 80% of the hashrate, squeezing out small miners. Rising hardware costs and energy demands fuel this consolidation. "It’s capitalism, not conspiracy," quips a miner on Reddit. Solutions like Stratum V2 (which shifts power to individual miners) are gaining traction, but adoption is slow.

FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered

Could Foundry and AntPool launch a 51% attack tomorrow?

Technically yes, practically no. The reputational and financial fallout would bankrupt both pools overnight.

How does this affect Bitcoin’s price?

Short-term FUD might cause dips, but long-term? The network’s resilience is priced in. Check TradingView charts for real-time trends.

What can ordinary investors do?

Diversify holdings and support smaller pools. Decentralization starts with individual choices.