Block Building
Block building is the process of selecting and ordering transactions to construct a valid block for a blockchain. Validators or specialized block builders analyze the mempool to choose transactions that maximize their revenue, including base fees and tips, as well as any extractable MEV.
This process is complex because it involves balancing network performance, profitability, and consensus rules. Modern block building often involves sophisticated algorithms to optimize the contents of a block for maximum value.
As block building becomes more specialized, it can lead to centralization, where only a few powerful entities have the capability to build the most profitable blocks. Understanding block building is essential for grasping how transaction fees are determined and how MEV is realized at the protocol level.