Definition ∞ A sequencer policy defines the rules and mechanisms by which transactions are ordered and processed within a blockchain or layer-2 scaling solution. This policy determines which transactions are included, their sequence, and who controls this ordering. It directly impacts transaction finality, censorship resistance, and the potential for miner extractable value (MEV). This is a critical design choice for rollup architectures.
Context ∞ Sequencer policies are a key area of discussion and development in layer-2 scaling solutions, particularly optimistic and zero-knowledge rollups. News often reports on new designs or proposed changes to these policies, as they significantly influence a rollup’s performance, security, and decentralization properties. The choice of sequencer—whether centralized or decentralized—has considerable implications for transaction costs and user experience. Debates around sequencer governance and fairness are ongoing.