Ethereum Developers Weigh Encrypting Transactions to Block MEV Attacks

Ethereum developers are set to discuss encrypting transaction details until transaction ordering is finalized as a way to block maximal extractable value, or MEV, attacks.

CryptoSlate reported on August 18 that the developers will hold a meeting on August 19 on mempool encryption and new defenses against bots that exploit information from pending transactions.

Ethereum’s public mempool currently makes transaction details visible before they are included in a block. That allows MEV bots to detect user transactions in advance and use them for sandwich attacks and similar strategies.

Developers are considering encrypting transaction details until ordering is finalized so bots cannot view the information. Still, no known encryption technology currently meets all of the requirements needed to operate at Ethereum’s scale.