MEV Centralization Risk

Definition ∞ MEV centralization risk refers to the potential for the extraction of Maximal Extractable Value (MEV) to lead to an undesirable concentration of power among a few network participants. MEV is the profit that can be gained by ordering, censoring, or inserting transactions within a block. If MEV extraction becomes highly centralized, it could compromise the decentralization and censorship resistance of a blockchain. This risk threatens the fundamental principles of distributed ledger technology.
Context ∞ MEV centralization risk is a major topic of concern and research within the blockchain community, particularly for proof-of-stake networks. News reports frequently highlight instances where large validators or specialized block builders capture a disproportionate share of MEV, leading to debates about protocol design solutions like Proposer-Builder Separation (PBS). Mitigating this risk is seen as essential for preserving the long-term integrity and fairness of decentralized systems.