Block Assembly

Definition ∞ Block assembly is the process by which a network participant, typically a validator or miner, gathers a collection of pending transactions and arranges them into a new block. This block is then proposed to the network for validation and addition to the blockchain. The efficiency and strategy of block assembly directly impact transaction processing speed and network throughput.
Context ∞ The topic of block assembly is central to discussions on blockchain scalability and transaction ordering within proof-of-stake and proof-of-work systems. A key debate concerns the potential for miner or validator extractable value (MEV) due to the discretionary ordering of transactions. Future protocol upgrades aim to decentralize block construction and mitigate front-running opportunities.