How BlockFerret works

1. Build the ordinary baseline#

For the slot, BlockFerret first builds a regular block using the available transactions and ordinary fee ordering. This establishes the validator value to preserve. The comparison is against the actual ordinary block for that build, rather than a fixed fee threshold.

2. Find and verify opportunities#

The builder searches for arbitrage and supported protocol opportunities. Arbitrage can come from differences between pools, a transaction that changes pool prices, or topologies learned from swaps that other bots have already executed on-chain.

Learned routes are suggestions. Every candidate still needs supported pools, available funding, exact execution simulation, and profitable final placement.

3. Settle the complete block#

An arb that works alone may stop working after earlier transactions move its pools. BlockFerret checks the candidate at its actual execution position, can re-size eligible arbs, and verifies the complete ordered block.

A portfolio may contain multiple compatible opportunities. It is admitted only after checking the retained public transaction outcomes, costs, validator payout, and builder earnings. A larger predicted portfolio does not automatically beat a smaller verified one.

4. Compare value after costs#

The ordinary baseline, arb execution gas, payout gas, and displaced ordinary fees all matter. The reward policy shares only the net increment that remains after costs.

5. Bid through the relay#

BlockFerret submits eligible candidates to the Vouch relay. For a connected proposer, the relay compares builder bids. Our transactions can land only when the proposer uses that relay and our exact block wins.

When an opportunity fails#

A candidate can be rejected because its route is invalid, funding is unavailable, its target has changed, it loses profitability after placement, or it would alter a protected transaction. BlockFerret can use a verified smaller candidate or an ordinary block when those meet the current submission rules.