Ledger LandISSUE #79 of 90

mev-boost · proposer / builder separation

BlockyVSDouble-Spend Dan

Blocky saysMEV-Boost separates block building from proposing to democratize MEV on Ethereum.

Post-Merge Ethereum uses proposer-builder separation (PBS) via MEV-Boost: specialized builders compete to assemble the most valuable block, and the validator (proposer) simply picks the highest-paying one through a relay. This spreads MEV revenue beyond sophisticated insiders and keeps solo validators competitive — but raises centralization and censorship concerns around builders and relays.

Power-ups you unlock

Proposer-builder separation (PBS)
Builders compete; proposer picks the best block
Democratizes MEV beyond insiders
Raises builder/relay centralization concerns

Double-Spend Dan attacks — common mistakes

Assuming PBS eliminates MEV
Ignoring relay censorship concerns
Confusing builders with validators

Boss battleExplain what builders and proposers each do under PBS.

Example code

<!doctype html><html><head><meta charset="utf-8"></head>
<body style="background:#06040d;color:#e6e0ff;font-family:monospace;padding:20px"><pre>builders: assemble most-valuable block (compete)
proposer (validator): picks highest-paying block
→ MEV shared, but relay centralization risk</pre></body></html>

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