Introduction to MEV

Maximal extractable value (MEV) is profit validators or searchers capture by ordering, inserting, or censoring transactions within blocks. It appears wherever transaction sequence affects outcomes — DEX trades, liquidations, NFT mints, and arbitrage.

Validators and block builders control inclusion. Searchers find opportunities and bid for placement. Retail users sometimes receive rebates through intent-based routers — but uninformed traders usually pay through worse execution.

This course covers block building, sandwich attacks, Flashbots, L2 MEV, protection tools, trading strategies, ethics, and the future of fair ordering.