MEV Market Structure

Architecture

The MEV Market Structure fundamentally revolves around the architecture of blockchain networks, particularly those employing proof-of-work or proof-of-stake consensus mechanisms. This architecture inherently creates opportunities for miners or validators to reorder, include, or exclude transactions within a block to maximize their own profits, a practice known as Maximal Extractable Value (MEV). Consequently, a layered ecosystem has emerged, comprising searchers, relays, and builders, each playing a distinct role in identifying, capturing, and executing MEV opportunities. The design of these systems, and the incentives embedded within them, significantly shape the overall efficiency and security of the blockchain.