What Flashbots does

Flashbots is a research and development organization founded in 2020 in the Cayman Islands that builds open-source infrastructure to mitigate the negative externalities of Maximal Extractable Value (MEV) on Ethereum and adjacent blockchains. Its product portfolio centers on the block-production supply chain: MEV-Boost (an out-of-protocol Proposer-Builder Separation implementation run by over 90% of Ethereum validators), BuilderNet (a TEE-based decentralized block-building network jointly operated with Beaverbuild and Nethermind), Rollup-Boost and op-rbuilder (block-building platforms for L2 rollups), Protect RPC (a frontrunning-resistant transaction endpoint), MEV-Share (a protocol for users and wallets to capture MEV from their own transactions), and SUAVE (a privacy-first encrypted mempool designed to decentralize the builder role). The technical stack is anchored in Go and Rust implementations, trusted execution environments, and open relay architecture.

The business model is open-source and product-led: all core products are distributed free of charge via GitHub and public documentation, and Flashbots does not publish pricing tiers, subscription plans, or revenue figures. Funding is venture-capital-backed, with a $60 million Series B led by Paradigm in July 2023 as the most recent disclosed round. Go-to-market relies on developer relations, the Flashbots Research Collective, MEV Fellowship Grants, and a Flashbots Research Proposals (FRP) process modeled on Ethereum Improvement Proposals.

Customer segments are horizontal and decentralized: Ethereum validators and block producers use MEV-Boost and BuilderNet; Ethereum users and wallets use Protect RPC and MEV-Share; rollup projects integrate Rollup-Boost. The organization reports cumulative MEV extraction of more than $1 billion by 2025 and has migrated from operating centralized builders to acting as steward of decentralized builder infrastructure, making ecosystem influence rather than captured revenue the primary measure of scale.

Name

Flashbots

Legal name

Flashbots, Ltd.

Website

https://www.flashbots.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Flashbots is a research and development organization building open-source MEV infrastructure for Ethereum, including MEV-Boost, BuilderNet, Protect RPC, MEV-Share, and SUAVE, serving validators, wallets, users, and rollups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Blockchain MEV Infrastructure

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182)

SIC

Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services (6200)

akta.pro primary industry

MEV Infrastructure (Relays, Auctions, Protect, Searchers) (FSADABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

MEV / Block-Building, Proposer-Builder Separation (PBS) & Relays (FSADAKAG), MEV, Order Flow & Transaction Finance (MEV markets, PBS, transaction pre-confirmation) (FSAPAEAL), MEV & Transaction Supply Chain Tooling (bundlers, private mempools, builders) (FSAPABAL), MEV, Market Integrity & Manipulation Surveillance (FSAPAJAJ)

Keywords

• MEV infrastructure
• Block building software
• Ethereum validator tools
• Transaction protection
• Blockchain research

Headquarters

HQ city

Grand Cayman

HQ country

Cayman Islands

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Open Source Infrastructure: Flashbots operates as a research and development organization providing open-source infrastructure. The revenue model is not explicitly disclosed in available sources. Products appear to be freely available with revenue potentially derived from ecosystem grants, fellowships, or future protocol-level mechanisms.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Flashbots builds and maintains open-source MEV (Maximal Extractable Value) infrastructure for Ethereum and other stateful blockchains. Its product suite includes MEV-Boost for proposer-builder separation, BuilderNet for decentralized TEE-based block building, Rollup-Boost for rollup block construction, Protect RPC for frontrunning protection, MEV-Share for MEV refund distribution, and SUAVE for privacy-preserving encrypted mempools. The organization also operates Flashbots Research, producing open research on MEV market dynamics through Flashbots Research Proposals and MEV Fellowship Grants.

Product overview

Flashbots is a research and development organization focused on mitigating negative externalities of Maximal Extractable Value (MEV) on stateful blockchains, starting with Ethereum. The product portfolio centers on a suite of interconnected MEV infrastructure tools: MEV-Boost provides out-of-protocol Proposer-Builder Separation enabling validators to access competitive block-building markets; BuilderNet decentralizes block building via TEEs; Rollup-Boost extends block-building capabilities to Ethereum rollups with Flashblocks and Verifiable Priority Ordering; Protect RPC shields user transactions from frontrunning; MEV-Share enables users to capture MEV they generate; and SUAVE provides a privacy-first encrypted mempool that decentralizes the block builder role. Flashbots Research conducts open research on MEV market dynamics. Over 90% of Ethereum validators run MEV-Boost, and cumulative MEV extraction crossed $1 billion by 2025.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MEV-Boost Software that allows Ethereum consensus layer clients to access a competitive block-building marketplace, achieving out-of-protocol Proposer-Builder Separation (PBS) as an interim solution for democratizing MEV access. Used by Ethereum validators and block producers.
• BuilderNet Decentralized block building network for Ethereum that runs on Trusted Execution Environments (TEEs) and shares MEV with the community, creating an open, neutral alternative to negative-sum exclusive orderflow deals. Used by Ethereum validators and the broader MEV ecosystem.
• Rollup-Boost Verifiable block-building platform for Ethereum rollups with modular components for upgrading rollups across performance, programmability, and decentralization. Used by rollup and L2 projects.
• Protect RPC (Flashbots Protect) Secure RPC endpoint for transacting on Ethereum that protects transactions from frontrunning and reverts, and provides refunds on gas fees and MEV generated by the transaction. Used by Ethereum users and wallets.
• MEV-Share Protocol enabling users, wallets, and applications to internalize the MEV their transactions create through selective transaction data sharing for refunds. Used by Ethereum users, wallets, and applications.
• SUAVE Ethereum-native, MEV-aware and privacy-first encrypted mempool that decentralizes the block builder role and combats centralizing forces of exclusive order flow. Used by Ethereum block builders, searchers, and the broader MEV ecosystem.
• rbuilder High-performance block builder written in Rust for Ethereum, designed for speed and used as a core component within BuilderNet.
• op-rbuilder High-performance Rust-based block builder for the OP Stack, used by Optimism rollup projects for efficient block construction.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90% of Ethereum validators now running MEV-Boost
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• BeaverbuildcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 November 2024Beaverbuild is a joint operator of the BuilderNet decentralized block building network alongside Flashbots and Nethermind. BuilderNet was first released in November 2024 and handles block building activities for Ethereum.
• NethermindcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 November 2024Nethermind is a joint operator of the BuilderNet decentralized block building network alongside Flashbots and Beaverbuild. BuilderNet is designed to neutralize exclusive orderflow deals, distribute MEV, and enhance censorship resistance.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• bloXroute: Operates Ethereum MEV relays, a Block-Building Distribution Network (BDN), and block-building infrastructure that competes directly with Flashbots' MEV-Boost relay and builder stack for validator and searcher market share.
• Nethermind: Ethereum client developer and BuilderNet co-operator that also operates its own block builder. Competes with Flashbots both at the execution/client layer and as an independent builder producing blocks for MEV-Boost.
• Manifold Finance: Provides MEV-aware transaction infrastructure on Ethereum including a block builder and middleware services. Directly comparable to Flashbots' MEV-Share and Protect offerings, addressing the same searcher and dApp customer base.
• Eden Network: Operates an Ethereum block-building and transaction-ordering network with prioritized slots for stakers. Competes with Flashbots for validator adoption and orderflow routing, including direct overlap with MEV-Boost relays.
• Blocknative: Provides mempool monitoring, transaction simulation, and MEV-related tooling. Comparable to Flashbots' MEV-Share and Protect products as an infrastructure layer for searchers, wallets, and dApps managing pre-chain transactions.
• Titan Builder: Independent Ethereum block builder producing competitive blocks for MEV-Boost validators. Competes head-to-head with Flashbots' rbuilder for inclusion in MEV-Boost relays and for orderflow from searchers.
• Beaverbuild: A leading Ethereum block builder that operates one of the highest-performing builder stacks. It is also a joint operator of BuilderNet alongside Flashbots and Nethermind, making it both a direct competitor and strategic partner in the same block-building category.

Emerging players

• CoW Swap (MEV Blocker): DEX aggregator that operates MEV Blocker, an RPC endpoint that protects users from frontrunning and shares MEV revenue back to users. Directly comparable to Flashbots Protect RPC as user-facing MEV-protection infrastructure.
• Chainbound: Builds MEV-aware infrastructure and tooling for rollups and Ethereum, including block-building and propagation services targeting the same MEV research and searcher ecosystem that Flashbots pioneered.

Broad incumbents

• EigenLayer: Broader Ethereum restaking and middleware platform whose Actively Validated Services (AVSs) increasingly intersect with MEV infrastructure. Comparable as a category-mate shaping how validators earn yield, including MEV-derived rewards.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• GitHubgithub.com/flashbots
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCclbTgsnYUy3vmrptIqCmqQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/flashbots

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors9 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments4 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Flashbots