Can Ethereum Fix Its Block Building Problem? This Researcher Thinks So
Ethereum researcher Malik672 has introduced a novel approach to decentralizing the blockchain’s block-building process through a system called the Decentralized Random Block Proposal (DRBP).
This proposed mechanism leverages a shared random algorithm combined with Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT) to fully democratize block proposing while eliminating Maximal Extractable Value (MEV) at the block level.
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In a March 1 post, the pseudonymous researcher highlighted concerns regarding the blockchain’s existing proposer-builder separation (PBS) model, which, despite reducing some concentration of power, has still led to increasing centralization among block builders and relays.
The Growing Centralization Problem in Ethereum Block Building
Under the current PBS model, block proposers delegate the task of constructing blocks to specialized block builders, creating a market where builders compete to maximize MEV profits. However, this has resulted in the concentration of power among a few dominant players.
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Recently, Ethereum Foundation researcher Toni Wahrstätter revealed that two entities—Beaverbuild and Titan Builder—were responsible for constructing a staggering 88.7% of the blockchain’s blocks during the first two weeks of October. Though that figure has since dropped to around 80%, it remains alarmingly centralized, according to Malik672.
“This system flips that: block-building spreads to thousands of clients globally, fully democratizing the process. No single entity dominates—unlike PBS’s builder pool or a centralized mixer—and BFT mitigates mempool variance, ensuring robustness,” the researcher explained.
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Eliminating MEV and Democratizing Block Proposals
MEV—the additional value extracted by block proposers by reordering, censoring, or including transactions—has led to several predatory tactics like arbitrage and front-running, negatively impacting ordinary network users.
“This undermines Ethereum’s decentralized ethos,” Malik672 warned.
The proposed DRBP solution aims to remove this power imbalance by allowing all of the blockchain’s clients to construct blocks, instead of only a handful of builders. This would be achieved through a cryptographically random selection mechanism, preventing any single entity from consistently benefiting from MEV-driven strategies.
Additionally, the system remains compatible with Danksharding, Ethereum’s upcoming scaling solution for Layer-2s, and could even help reduce slot times from 12 seconds to around 6–8 seconds—a significant performance improvement.
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Faster Ethereum Upgrades on the Horizon
Developers and researchers have been actively working on expediting the blockchain’s technical roadmap. On Feb. 13, they collectively agreed to accelerate the deployment of Ethereum upgrades to keep up with the ecosystem’s growing demands.
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While Malik672’s proposal is still in its early stages, it presents a potential breakthrough in tackling centralization and MEV exploitation within Ethereum’s block-building infrastructure. Whether the community will embrace this radical shift remains to be seen, but the push for a more decentralized and trustless blockchain continues to gain momentum.
