Maximal Extractable Value (MEV) has become one of the most discussed topics in the blockchain ecosystem, especially as traders continue to face hidden risks on decentralized exchanges (DEXs). MEV refers to the economic value block builders can capture by reordering or manipulating transactions within a block. While several forms of MEV exist, sandwich attacks remain the most harmful to everyday users. In these attacks, a malicious actor places a transaction before and after a victim’s swap, creating price slippage that benefits the attacker and hurts the trader.
Cointelegraph Research recently examined more than 95,000 sandwich attacks between November 2024 and October 2025. The findings reveal that although overall sandwich extraction has decreased over the year, the threat is still far from eliminated. Traders continue to lose around $60 million annually, with block builders absorbing a large share of profits through gas fees. Monthly extraction has dropped from nearly $10 million to about $2.5 million, but the frequency of attacks remains alarmingly high. A substantial share of these attacks is attributed to a well-known MEV searcher commonly referred to as Jared. Increased competition among MEV bots has further reduced profitability, leaving many operators barely breaking even.
Why MEV Is Still a Major Risk for Ethereum Users
Despite improvements in transparency and protocol-level defenses, Ethereum remains the most active hub for MEV due to its thriving DEX ecosystem and open block-building marketplace. Users executing swaps on automated market makers are still exposed to predatory bot activity, especially during periods of heightened network congestion or volatile price movements. These sandwich attacks not only cause poor trade execution but also undermine user trust in decentralized finance.
The Future of MEV and User Protection
As MEV research advances, developers and researchers are exploring solutions such as private transaction routing, intent-based trading systems, and protocol-level changes to reduce the surface area for attacks. While these developments offer hope, traders must remain cautious. Using MEV-protected transaction relays, avoiding large slips in volatile markets, and choosing platforms with built-in anti-MEV features can help reduce exposure.
Understanding MEV and how sandwich attacks work is crucial for anyone active in decentralized finance. Although the landscape is improving, the risks persist—making awareness and protective strategies more important than ever.
