Weekly Brunches with Workshops [Special Edition]: MEV and Network Economics in Blockchain - with Swapnil Raj, Head of Innovation at Nethermind
In a special edition of Weekly Workshops, we enjoy a talk from Nethermind and head out for a nice afternoon of pizza. This event is part of the Weekly Brunches with Workshops series. Read more about the programme here.
About the talk
This talk introduces the concept of Maximal Extractable Value (MEV) and explores its implications for blockchain architecture, user experience, and network economics. Beginning with a brief overview of how blockchains process transactions and determine execution order, the session transitions into a detailed look at automated market makers (AMMs) like Uniswap, and how decentralised exchanges enable permissionless trading without order books.
We then examine how MEV arises from the public nature of transaction propagation and ordering, especially in DeFi protocols, and survey common extraction strategies such as front-running, sandwich attacks, and arbitrage. The talk also discusses the evolution from miner to maximal extractable value in the context of Ethereum’s transition to Proof-of-Stake.
Mitigation strategies are explored in depth, including off-chain private order flow (e.g. Flashbots), proposer-builder separation (PBS), and emerging protocol-level solutions. Finally, the session looks ahead at cross-domain MEV, rollup-aware sequencing, and the role of cryptographic primitives in fair transaction ordering.
You’ll come away with a strong foundational understanding of MEV, the design trade-offs it exposes, and its significance in the broader conversation around blockchain scalability, decentralisation, and fairness. This talk is ideal for developers, systems researchers, and blockchain enthusiasts interested in the dynamics of on-chain markets and transaction execution.
Swapnil Raj is a Cambridge CS graduate and the Head of Innovation at Nethermind, a leading research and software engineering company developing tooling and infrastructure for blockchain ecosystems, specializing in Ethereum and Layer 2. With a focus on agentic AI, enhancing security, scalability, and stability, Nethermind drives innovation and adoption within the blockchain industry.
The brunches are enabled by:
WHEN: Friday, 9 May 2025
12.30-1.30 PM: Workshop at Judge Business School
1.30-2.30 PM: Pizza together with speaker
WHERE: Judge Business School, Cambridge
TICKETS: Ticket sales open on the 5th May 2025.