MEV (Maximum Extractable Value) bots are automated programs used in decentralized finance (DeFi) to capture profits from blockchain transactions. These bots monitor pending transactions in a blockchain's mempool and attempt to reorder, include, or front-run transactions to maximize their returns. They exploit the opportunity to perform transactions at the most optimal time by manipulating the order in which transactions are mined.

One common strategy is front-running, where the bot spots a large transaction and places its own transaction with a higher gas fee, ensuring it is processed first. Another approach is sandwich attacks, where a bot places two transactions around a target transaction to profit from price movements.



While Mev bots can be highly profitable, they also raise concerns about network congestion, fairness, and decentralization. Critics argue that they can lead to higher transaction fees and disrupt the natural flow of the blockchain. As DeFi grows, there’s increasing attention on how to mitigate these impacts.