In 2024, that changed. We saw vulnerabilities that took advantage of the fact that the Bitcoin network was somewhat anonymous. "Dusting" attacks exploded, where guys sent small amounts of BTC to try to track users. Mining pools were hot too, with attempts to pool hashing power to control part of the network and tamper with transactions. As a result, cybersecurity pros rolled up their sleeves to protect users and keep the network decentralized.
I do not think there was too strong of an attack to threaten bitcoin’s decentralization or its blockchain in general. Most of the hacks and attacks I have seen are really directed towards individuals that hold bitcoin and not bitcoin blockchain in itself.
It’s probably even a lot easier to attack and hack government controlled assets rather than launch an attack on bitcoin.
For me, these 2024 flaws show that securing Bitcoin is really not easy. Threats change all the time, it forces the community to always be on its guard. But it also proves that Bitcoin is holding strong, because despite all that, the network is still there. For those who want to invest, it is super important to follow these developments and use secure wallets, especially offline, to avoid hassles.
If you get hacked or scammed, that is totally on you and not the bitcoin network. We have been established that the network is secure and its decentralized nature helps with that. As an individual, we are responsible for what we hold and how we make sure we don’t lose them.