🔒 Security Models: Inherited vs Independent
Understand how Layer 2s and sidechains secure your assets
Understand the difference between scaling approaches
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0 / 5 completed🔒 Security Models Explained
The most critical difference between sidechains and Layer 2 solutions lies in their security models. This determines how safe your assets really are.
🎮 Security Model Comparator
Toggle between security models to understand their fundamental differences in protection mechanisms.
Sidechain Security
Independent validator set with own consensus
⚔️ Attack Scenario Simulator
See how different security models respond to real attack vectors. Select a scenario below to compare outcomes.
51% Validator Attack
Majority of validators collude to steal funds or censor transactions
❌ Attack succeeds - funds can be stolen if 51% validators collude
✅ Attack prevented - would need to compromise Ethereum (billions at stake)
🎯 The Trust Spectrum
Sidechains: Trust in Validators
With sidechains, you're trusting a smaller, independent validator set. If 51% of these validators collude, they can:
- •Censor your transactions indefinitely
- •Create invalid state transitions
- •Potentially steal funds (depending on bridge design)
Layer 2: Trust in Mathematics
Layer 2 solutions inherit Ethereum's security. Even if all L2 operators collude, they cannot:
- ✓Steal your funds (cryptographic proofs prevent it)
- ✓Block your L1 withdrawal (you can force through Ethereum)
- ✓Create invalid state (fraud/validity proofs catch it)
💡 Key Insight
The security difference isn't about which approach is "better"—it's about different trust models. Sidechains trade some security for flexibility and independence, while Layer 2 maintains Ethereum's security but with some additional complexity.