Solana validators, consisting of 1,728 computers, play a key role in powering the Solana blockchain. These validators earn revenue from maximum extracted value (MEV), which has grown rapidly since mid-March. Recent data shows that Solana validators generally earn more from MEV than their counterparts on Ethereum.
The main source of MEVs on Solana is the Jito protocol, which offers a fork of the Solana validator called Jito-Solana. This client allows transactions to be grouped into packets and adds tips for validators to send specific packets to the blockchain. However, Jito recently suspended its mempool due to sandwich attacks, which can create negative forms of MEVs.
Despite this, the continued growth of MEVs on Solana could increase blockchain space and decrease spam. Analysts believe that increasing available block space could attract more activity on the network and increase liquidity.
However, Solana still faces the problem of spam, due to which more than 60% of non-voting transactions on the network fail. This is due to bots that try to take advantage of the low fees on Solana to complete transactions.
