TLDR
Monero (XMR) fell 1.46% to $259.62 over 24h, underperforming the broader crypto market (-1.16%). Here are the main factors:
- Security Fears (Bearish) – Qubic’s 51% attack on Monero resurfaced concerns, with Kraken halting XMR deposits.
- Technical Breakdown (Bearish) – Failed to hold key support at $269, RSI14 (41.44) signals weak momentum.
- Market Sentiment (Neutral) – Crypto Fear & Greed Index at 46 (neutral), altcoins broadly under pressure.
Deep Dive
1. Security Concerns from Qubic’s 51% Attack (Bearish Impact)
Overview:
Qubic, led by IOTA co-founder Sergey Ivancheglo, executed a 51% attack on Monero’s network between August 18–20, briefly controlling 77.54% of its hashrate. While Monero’s privacy features remained intact, Kraken temporarily suspended XMR deposits on August 17, citing “ongoing security concerns” (Cryptopotato).
What this means:
- Reduced exchange liquidity (Kraken handles ~5% of XMR volume) amplified selling pressure.
- The attack highlighted centralization risks in Monero’s mining ecosystem, undermining confidence in its “military-grade security” narrative.
What to watch:
- Whether decentralized mining pools like P2Pool regain >15% hashrate share to counter Qubic’s dominance.
2. Technical Weakness at Key Levels (Bearish Impact)
Overview:
XMR broke below critical Fibonacci support at $269 (50% retracement level) and trades below its 30-day SMA ($284.89). The RSI14 (41.44) shows no oversold bounce, while the MACD histogram (+1.64) suggests tentative bullish divergence.
What this means:
- Bears dominate short-term price action, with resistance now at $276 (200-day EMA).
- A close below $258 (June 2025 low) could trigger algorithmic sell orders.
3. Altcoin Sentiment Drag (Neutral Impact)
Overview:
The CMC Altcoin Season Index fell 16% over 30 days to 42/100, signaling capital rotation away from mid-cap coins like XMR. Monero’s 24h volume dropped 31% to $89M, aligning with broader crypto volume declines (-22% spot, -20% derivatives).
What this means:
- XMR faces headwinds from sector-wide risk aversion, compounded by its niche privacy focus.
Conclusion
Monero’s decline reflects a mix of security jitters, technical breakdowns, and weak altcoin sentiment. While the 51% attack’s direct impact was contained, lingering doubts about mining decentralization and exchange support have delayed recovery.
Key watch: Can XMR defend $231 (yearly low) if selling accelerates, or will Qubic’s pivot to Dogecoin relieve pressure? Monitor Kraken’s deposit resumption timeline for liquidity cues.