Monero (XMR) is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency that has gained a strong following in the crypto community. It is known for its focus on privacy and anonymity, which is achieved through the use of ring signatures and stealth addresses. However, like any other cryptocurrency, Monero is not immune to chain splits.

Why to split

Chain splits occur when a cryptocurrency community disagrees on certain changes to the network’s protocol, leading to the creation of a new blockchain. This can happen for various reasons, such as differences in opinion on how the protocol should be changed, disputes over the direction of the project, or even malicious attacks on the network.

When to split

When a chain split occurs, the result is two separate blockchains that share a common history up to a certain point but then diverge into two distinct paths. This means that users holding XMR at the time of the split will now have an equal number of coins on both chains.

Recent chain split

The most recent Monero chain split occurred in April 2018, when Monero underwent a hard fork to adopt a new algorithm that would make the cryptocurrency resistant to ASIC mining. This led to the creation of Monero Original (XMO), which was essentially the original Monero blockchain before the fork.

However, Monero Original did not gain much traction and was eventually abandoned by the community. This is because the vast majority of Monero users and developers chose to support the new algorithm and continue on the main Monero blockchain.

While chain splits can be disruptive and cause uncertainty in the short term, they can also be beneficial in the long term. This is because they allow different groups within a community to pursue their own vision for the project, which can lead to innovation and improvements.

In the case of Monero, the adoption of the new algorithm has been seen as a positive development. This is because ASICs are more efficient at mining than GPUs and CPUs, which can lead to centralization of the network.

By making the network resistant to ASIC mining, Monero has ensured that the mining power is more evenly distributed among its users.

The potential risks and benefits of chain splits for Monero:

Risks:

Loss of privacy and security: If a chain split occurs due to a disagreement over the implementation of new privacy features, it could lead to a situation where some users are using a more secure version of the coin than others. This could make it easier for malicious actors to track the transactions of users who are on the less secure chain.

Market confusion and instability: Chain splits can cause market confusion and instability, as investors may not be sure which chain to support. This could lead to a decline in the price of the coin.

Fork wars: In some cases, chain splits can lead to fork wars, where different groups of users compete to gain control of the network. This can be a costly and disruptive process.

Benefits:

Increased innovation: Chain splits can lead to increased innovation, as different groups of users are free to pursue their own vision for the project. This could lead to the development of new features and improvements that benefit all users.

Increased user choice: Chain splits give users more choice, as they can choose the blockchain that best meets their needs. This can lead to a more decentralized and robust network.

History of chain splits

The history of chain splits in Monero, including the most recent split in April 2018:

The first chain split in Monero occurred in April 2014, shortly after the coin’s launch. The split was caused by a disagreement over the block reward, which is the amount of Monero that is awarded to miners for each block they mine. The split was resolved amicably, and the two chains eventually merged back together.

The most recent chain split in Monero occurred in April 2018. The split was caused by a disagreement over the implementation of a new algorithm that would make the cryptocurrency resistant to ASIC mining. The split led to the creation of Monero Original (XMO), which was essentially the original Monero blockchain before the fork.

The reasons why the Monero Original chain did not gain traction:

The vast majority of Monero users and developers chose to support the new algorithm and continue on the main Monero blockchain.

The Monero Original chain did not have the same level of security and privacy features as the main Monero blockchain.

The Monero Original chain did not have the same level of community support as the main Monero blockchain.

Privacy and security

The impact of chain splits on the privacy and security of Monero:

Chain splits can have a negative impact on the privacy and security of Monero if they lead to a situation where some users are using a less secure version of the coin than others.

However, chain splits can also have a positive impact on the privacy and security of Monero if they lead to the development of new privacy features or improvements.

Stakeholders

The views of different stakeholders in the Monero community on chain splits:

Some Monero users and developers view chain splits as a negative development that can lead to confusion and instability.

Other Monero users and developers view chain splits as a positive development that can lead to innovation and improvements.