What Is Maximum Extractable Value (MEV) and How Is It Related to Front-Running in Crypto?
MEV is the maximum value that can be extracted from block production by arbitrarily including, excluding, or reordering transactions within a block. Front-running is a specific, and often illicit, form of MEV extraction.
Validators or miners (or specialized "searchers") can use their power over transaction order to profit from pending trades, liquidations, or arbitrage opportunities. It represents a systemic risk to the fairness of decentralized systems.