Block Construction Fairness

Definition ∞ Block Construction Fairness describes the principle that the creation of new blocks on a blockchain should be free from arbitrary discrimination or manipulation. It asserts that transaction inclusion and ordering within a block should adhere to predefined rules, preventing validators from unfairly prioritizing or censoring transactions. This concept aims to ensure equitable treatment for all network participants. It is crucial for maintaining the neutrality and integrity of a decentralized ledger.
Context ∞ The pursuit of Block Construction Fairness is a central theme in blockchain protocol development, particularly with the rise of MEV. Debates center on mechanisms like proposer-builder separation and encrypted transaction pools to mitigate validator power over transaction ordering. Future protocol upgrades aim to decentralize block production further and reduce opportunities for rent-seeking behavior. Achieving this fairness is important for the long-term health of decentralized systems.