Definition ∞ A revenue maximizing miner is a cryptocurrency miner who prioritizes actions that yield the highest possible financial return. These miners strategically select which transactions to include in blocks, often favoring those with higher transaction fees, to optimize their earnings. This behavior can influence transaction confirmation times and network congestion, particularly during periods of high demand. Their economic incentives are a fundamental aspect of proof-of-work blockchain security.
Context ∞ In cryptocurrency news, the behavior of revenue maximizing miners is often discussed in relation to network congestion and transaction fee spikes on proof-of-work blockchains. Debates frequently arise regarding the potential for miner extractable value, or MEV, and its implications for fair transaction ordering. Understanding these economic incentives is crucial for analyzing blockchain network efficiency and security.