Maximal extractable value is the profit obtainable by choosing the order, inclusion or exclusion of transactions in a block. Some of it is benign arbitrage; some of it is straightforward front-running of visible pending transactions.
Also known as MEV. manipulation techniques · updated 2026-09-08
Where does maximal extractable value come up?
This term is used in the following manipulation techniques, each explained in full on
its own page.
Sandwich attacks and MEV— A sandwich attack places one transaction immediately before a victim's pending swap and another immediately after it, moving the pool price so that the victim trades at a worse rate and the attacker keeps the difference.
See also
Sandwich attack— A sandwich attack places one transaction immediately before a victim's pending swap and another immediately after it, moving the p…
Mempool— The mempool is the public queue of pending blockchain transactions waiting to be included in a block. Its visibility is what makes…