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Race Attack

Race Attack

Last Updated: January 11, 2026

Race Attack is a quick attempt to double-spend a cryptocurrency by exploiting network latency.

Race Attack is a type of double-spending attack in cryptocurrency, where an attacker sends two conflicting transactions simultaneously. The goal is to have a fraudulent transaction confirmed before the legitimate one. This exploits network latency and the time it takes for nodes to validate transactions. By doing so, the attacker may receive goods or services while retaining the original funds. Effective countermeasures include waiting for multiple confirmations before accepting transactions as final. This attack highlights the importance of security measures in cryptocurrency networks to prevent exploitation of transaction validation processes.