Flashbots MEV Block Builder Guide
If you're searching for the best Flashbots MEV block builder options, this guide compares top platforms in the Ethereum ecosystem to help validators, searchers, and builders maximize rewards through proposer builder separation. contenders include dominant players like Beaver Builder and Titan Builder alongside emerging networks such as BuilderNet, with choices varying by revenue potential, latency needs, and bundle handling. Select based on your role-validators gain over 60% higher staking rewards via MEV Boost integration, while searchers prioritize private orderflow access.
| Platform | Feature | Cost/Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEV Boost | Proposer builder separation middleware | 60%+ staking reward increase | Ethereum validators outsourcing block construction |
| Flashbots Relay | Block aggregation from multiple builders | Relay dependent fees, up to 72% to validators | Builders distributing payloads efficiently |
| Beaver Builder | Aggressive MEV extraction | Competitive bids, top earners >1 ETH/month | Searchers chasing high volume opportunities |
| Titan Builder | Neutral block construction | Searcher proposed rates, 10-17% builder retention | Diverse MEV strategy portfolios |
| rsync builder | Minimalist proposals | Direct endpoint fees, flexible for custom setups | Technical teams with low overhead needs |
| BuilderNet | TEE based decentralized building | MEV shared with community, open refunds | Neutral alternatives to centralized builders |
| rbuilder | Rust based high performance building | Production rates via relays, rate limited 2/sec | Speed focused block production |
| Jito Block Engine | Solana bundle auctions | Platform specific, validators get full MEV share | Solana searchers avoiding Ethereum complexity |
| Flashbots Matchmaker | Programmable privacy bundles | Variable by bundle, 3% of Ethereum volume | Searchers using blind backruns |
| SUAVE Protocol | Cross chain MEV auctions | Protocol native, latency optimized | Multi chain arbitrage teams |
MEV Boost serves as open source middleware that connects Ethereum proof of stake validators to a competitive market of block builders, delivering pre constructed blocks with optimized transaction ordering. Validators simply select the highest paying option from relays, bypassing the need to build blocks themselves.
This setup boosts staking rewards by more than 60% over independent construction, as builders compete fiercely on fee commitments sent to the proposer's fee recipient address. A single instance links to multiple relays for broader exposure.
- Minimal setup-compatible with any consensus client, fallback to local building if relays fail.
- Three builders dominate 75% of blocks, concentrating value but ensuring high bids.
- Validators capture up to 72% of profits in competitive slots, leaving builders with 10% and searchers 17%.
- Rate limits on submissions keep network stable at 600 per 5 minutes per IP.
Monitor relay diversity to avoid over reliance on single points; test on Sepolia first to confirm integration before mainnet deployment.
Flashbots Relay Mechanics
Aggregation role: Relays collect execution payloads from builders, verify validity, and deliver the top bid to proposing validators via MEV Boost.
Builders set their address as the fee recipient in headers, appending a payment transaction at block end-ensuring traceable payouts without trust issues. This layer handles getValidators and submitBlock endpoints across mainnet and Sepolia.
- Supports bundle merging for non conflicting searcher submissions.
- Enables proposer specified minimum bids to resist censorship.
- Builder concentration risks exist, but multi relay connections mitigate.
- Privacy preserved-builders see full orderflow, validators get fee commitments only.
- High throughput with 2 submissions per second average limit.
Searchers submit to multiple relays simultaneously for better inclusion odds; track builder reputation via public dashboards to prioritize profitable paths.
Beaver Builder Advantages
Beaver Builder leads with aggressive MEV extraction, controlling major Ethereum block share through opaque yet effective operations that prioritize maximum value assembly from bundles and mempool transactions.
Top performers like Beaver earn over 1 ETH monthly in peak conditions, outpacing others via tight latency and bundle optimization. Searchers favor it for high stakes plays where every basis point counts.
- Dominates alongside Titan and rsync at 75% market control.
- Ideal for sandwich or arbitrage bundles needing rapid execution.
- Opaque docs demand reverse engineering for advanced integration.
Co locate servers near builder endpoints to shave microseconds; avoid during low volume periods when bids drop below gas costs.
Titan Builder Neutrality
How flexible is Titan? It allows searchers to propose custom block constructions, maintaining a neutral stance that suits varied MEV strategies from backruns to liquidations.
Builders retain around 10% after validator cuts, with searchers netting 17% on average-rates shift with competition, favoring diverse portfolios over single trick bots. Payloads route through standard relays for broad validator reach.
Volume spikes push inclusion rates higher, but nested bundles enable backrunning other searchers profitably. TEE compatibility adds privacy layers for sensitive trades.
- Searcher input reduces builder bias.
- Handles complex multi step bundle chains.
- Consistent performance across market cycles.
Pair with Flashbots Protect for sandwich free orderflow; simulate bundles locally before submission to predict profitability.
rsync builder Minimalism
rsync builder strips down to essentials, offering direct endpoints for teams building custom MEV pipelines without bloated features.
- Flexible for Rust or Python bots scanning mempools.
- Low overhead suits solo developers.
- Market share in top three with Beaver and Titan.
- Requires endpoint tweaks for optimal latency.
Technical users thrive here-expect flat integration costs under relay limits, but test payload validity rigorously to sidestep rejections. Ideal when full control trumps ease of use.
BuilderNet Decentralized Approach
BuilderNet runs on Trusted Execution Environments, creating a network where multiple parties collaborate on blocks and share MEV via open refund rules based on added value.
This counters exclusive orderflow deals, distributing profits back to providers while boosting censorship resistance. BLS keys enable submissions to MEV Boost relays, with full transaction hints for TEE searchers.
- Neutralizes centralized dominance.
- Refunds scale with contribution-up to full MEV share.
- Handles boilerplate for new entrants.
- 5-minute delay on failed tx data for TEE debugging.
Register public keys early; use for rollup integrations where Ethereum mainnet latency bites.
rbuilder Performance Edge
Written in Rust, rbuilder delivers blazing block construction for production environments, powering several live builders with relay compatible payloads.
Fees weave into competitive bids, often exceeding 1 ETH monthly for high performers, with validators pulling 72% shares during auctions. Submit via standard endpoints at 600/5m limits.
OP Stack variants like op rbuilder extend to rollups, offering near zero latency confirmations.
- Compiled speed beats interpreted alternatives.
- Verifiable outputs for trust minimized relays.
- Suits high frequency bundle submitters.
Compile from source for custom tweaks; benchmark against Beaver during volatile markets.
Jito Block Engine on Solana
Solana's Jito skips Ethereum relays, simulating bundles off chain and auctioning directly to validators for faster MEV capture.
Searchers submit without intermediaries, but spam bots hog 40% blockspace paying just 7% fees-validators still net full shares. Smaller set heightens concentration over Ethereum's market.
- Direct validator paths cut latency.
- Auction mechanics favor aggressive strategies.
- Easier extraction than PBS prototypes.
- Network externalities hit users harder.
- No TEE privacy by default.
Migrate Ethereum bots carefully-focus on Solana native liquidations; monitor spam for viable slots.
Flashbots Matchmaker Privacy
Matchmaker handles programmable private orderflow, sending transaction hashes to searchers for blind bundles that protect against sandwiches.
Combines partial submissions with originals before builder routing, tapping 3% of Ethereum volume. Nested bundles allow backrun on backrun chains for layered profits.
- Eliminates calldata exposure.
- Supports collaboration over competition.
- Growing but mempool limited scale.
Develop hash based strategies first; integrate Protect RPC for user side protection.
SUAVE Protocol Future
SUAVE unifies cross chain auctions with encrypted mempools, enabling atomic MEV across Ethereum rollups without latency leaks.
Builders capture multi domain value, validators maximize via shared sequencing-still testnet phase with suave geth client. Addresses builder centralization head on.
Privacy first design blocks entrenchment, refunds flow via protocol rules.
- Cross chain arbitrage unlocked.
- Decentralizes builder role.
- Production readiness pending.
Stake in Toliman testnet now; prepare bundles for rollup interoperability.
Understanding MEV Block Builders
Block builders sit central in the MEV supply chain, assembling transactions, searcher bundles, and private flows into profitable payloads for relays. They optimize ordering for maximum extraction, paying validators via fee recipient transactions while retaining a cut.
- Dominant trio-Beaver, Titan, rsync-handle 75% blocks, bidding on value over gas alone.
- Searchers send to multiple builders; winners merge non conflicts.
- Relays verify, proposers pick highest bid-60% reward uplift proven.
- TEE layers like BuilderNet add privacy, sharing MEV community wide.
Differences: Ethereum vs Solana MEV
| Aspect | Ethereum (Flashbots) | Solana (Jito) |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Relays + builders + PBS middleware | Direct bundle auctions to validators |
| Rewards | Validators 72%, builders 10% | Validators full share |
| Issues | Builder concentration 75% | Spam bots 40% space, 7% fees |
| Privacy | Matchmaker/TEE options | Minimal native |
Ethereum emphasizes marketplace competition via MEV Boost, while Solana centralizes for speed but amplifies spam.
How to Choose Your MEV Block Builder
- Assess your role: Validators pick MEV Boost for 60% gains; searchers target Beaver for aggression or Titan for flexibility.
- Check market share-top three builders win 75% blocks; diversify submissions across relays.
- Test latency: Bare metal near validators beats cloud for bundles; measure round trips under 10ms.
- Integrate bundles: Start with public mempool scans, advance to Matchmaker hashes for privacy.
- Monitor profitability: Track >1 ETH/month thresholds; use min bids to fight censorship.
- Enable fallbacks: Multi relay MEV Boost prevents single failures; simulate locally first.
- Explore TEEs: BuilderNet shares MEV, Protect RPC refunds gas on frontruns.
- Scale to chains: Jito for Solana speed, SUAVE testnets for cross rollup plays.
- Run Rust bots: Python prototypes lose to compiled speed in races.
- Stay updated: Watch builder reputation dashboards for bid patterns and relay diversity.
Amanda Taylor
Crypto Analyst & Writer