- Ethereum Block Centralization – Two builders controlled 88.7% of blocks in October, now reduced to 80%, still highly centralized.
- New Proposal for Fairness – Malik672’s cryptographic random algorithm aims to democratize block proposing and eliminate MEV at the block level.
- Faster Ethereum Blocks – The proposed method could cut slot times from 12 seconds to 6-8 seconds, improving transaction speed and efficiency.
Ethereum’s block-building process faces centralization concerns, but a new proposal by Malik672 introduces a “shared random algorithm” to make block proposing more democratic and eliminate Maximal Extractable Value (MEV) at the block level. This aligns with Ethereum’s trustless vision and could reduce slot times.
Ethereum Researcher Proposes a More Democratic Block Proposal Method
An Ethereum researcher has proposed a new solution for block proposals that seeks to democratize Ethereum’s presently centralized block building method by introducing a “shared random algorithm.” Ethereum researcher “Malik672” has suggested a method to make Ethereum’s block proposer process more democratic, which they assert would also remove MEV at the block level.
The “Decentralized Random Block Proposal” aims to use Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT) to remove Maximal Extractable Value at the block level, completely democratize block proposing, and potentially speed up propagation — the method by which transactions are sent to network validators — according to pseudonymous researcher Malik672 in a post from March 1.
Centralization Concerns in Ethereum’s Block Building Process
Malik672 mentioned that even though Ethereum’s proof-of-stake model and the proposer-builder separation have somewhat reduced Maximal Extractable Value concentration, it has led to an increased centralization of builders and relays.
Ethereum Foundation researcher Toni Wahrstätter recently noted that during the initial two weeks of October, two Ethereum block builders — Beaverbuild and Titan Builder — constructed 88.7% of all Ethereum blocks.
That percentage has now decreased to about 80%, as stated by Malik672, which remains significantly more centralized than the Ethereum community prefers.
MEV — the value gained by block proposers through the rearrangement or censorship of transactions — has led to various profit-oriented manipulation tactics, including arbitrage and front-running, negatively impacting regular network users. “This weakens Ethereum’s decentralized principles,” Malik672 stated.
Proposed Solution to Align with Ethereum’s Trustless Principles
According to Malik672’s proposal, every Ethereum client — rather than just a select few builders — would create blocks using a cryptographically random algorithm. The researcher asserted that this arbitrary choice would stop profit-motivated manipulation strategies from affecting Ethereum users.
Malik672 mentioned that the solution would be more in harmony with Ethereum’s “trustless roots” while still being compatible with the blob requirements of Danksharding — a method aimed at scaling Ethereum layer 2s.
Malik672 stated that the approach has the potential to reduce slot times from 12 seconds to roughly 6-8 seconds. On February 13, Ethereum developers and researchers agreed to launch Ethereum updates more frequently in order to accelerate the platform’s technological roadmap.
