How Does MEV (Maximal Extractable Value) Relate to Arbitrage in DEX Pools?

MEV is the maximum value that can be extracted from block production by including, excluding, or reordering transactions within a block. Arbitrage is a primary source of MEV.

Searchers identify arbitrage opportunities and pay validators (or miners) a high fee to ensure their profitable transaction is included and ordered before others, often resulting in front-running or sandwich attacks.