MEV Philosophy
We Don't Sandwich. We Protect.
What is MEV?
Maximal Extractable Value (MEV) is value extracted from users by reordering, inserting, or censoring transactions in a block. It's often called the "invisible tax" on DeFi users.
Harmful MEV
Sandwich Attacks
Attacker sees your swap, buys before you (raising price), lets your trade execute at worse price, then sells (profiting from your loss).
Neutral MEV
Liquidations
Closing under-collateralized loans to keep protocols solvent. Someone has to do it - searchers compete to be first.
Beneficial MEV
Arbitrage
Equalizing prices across markets. If ETH is $2000 on DEX A and $2050 on DEX B, arbitrage brings them together.
DarkZen Principles
Our MEV infrastructure follows strict ethical guidelines. This is not negotiable.
We Don't Sandwich
DarkZen never front-runs user transactions. Ever. We only capture value that would otherwise go to waste.
if strategy.is_sandwich() { return; } Backrun Only
We execute after user transactions complete. Arbitrage and liquidations that happen regardless - we just do them more efficiently.
await user_tx.finalize(); // Always wait Treasury Returns
100% of DarkZen profits flow to the Zenpower DAO treasury. This funds grants, quests, and ecosystem development.
profits.transfer(DAO_TREASURY); MEV Protection Tools
We provide free tools for users to detect when they've been MEV'd elsewhere and route through protected channels.
detectMEV(tx) // Free for all users Educational Mission
Our DARK_FOREST.md documentation teaches everyone about MEV so users can protect themselves across all chains.
// Knowledge is protection Full Transparency
Every DarkZen transaction is logged, auditable, and publicly verifiable. No hidden extraction.
log.public(tx, profit, strategy); Us vs. Them
How DarkZen Works
Monitor
Watch for completed user transactions and price discrepancies across DEXs
Analyze
Calculate if arbitrage or liquidation opportunity exists (post-user-tx only)
Execute
Submit backrun transaction capturing leftover value
Return
Transfer 100% of profits to DAO treasury
What We Capture
- ✓ Arbitrage: Price differences between DEXs after user trades
- ✓ Liquidations: Under-collateralized positions on lending protocols
- ✓ Backrun opportunities: Value left on table after large swaps
What We Never Do
- ✗ Front-run user transactions
- ✗ Sandwich attack any user
- ✗ Manipulate prices against users
- ✗ Censor or delay transactions
- ✗ Keep profits in private wallets
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do MEV at all if you're ethical?
MEV exists whether we participate or not. By capturing it ethically and returning it to the ecosystem, we redirect value that would otherwise go to extractors who harm users.
How can I verify DarkZen doesn't sandwich?
All our strategies are open source. Every transaction is logged with strategy type. You can audit our entire history - we've never front-run a user.
What chains does DarkZen operate on?
Currently Base (our primary L2). Base's private mempool means we can't see pending transactions anyway - which aligns perfectly with our backrun-only approach.
How much goes to treasury?
100%. Zero team allocation. All DarkZen profits fund ecosystem development, grants, and community rewards through DAO governance.
Can I use your MEV protection tools?
Yes, free for everyone. We'll help you detect if you've been sandwiched elsewhere and show you how to route through protected RPCs.
Where can I learn more about MEV?
Our DARK_FOREST.md documentation covers everything from basics to advanced strategies.
Value Flows to Community, Not Extractors
This is what "being kind is optimal" looks like in DeFi. We capture MEV to protect users and fund the ecosystem - not to enrich private wallets.