The Money in Ethereum's Middleware: Can Flashbots Still Call Itself a 'Public Good'?

“Middleware” services are built on top of (rather than into) Ethereum’s core protocol, offering essential tools for app builders and the validators that run the network. Although validators and developers aren’t required to use any middleware programs, some, like Flashbots’ MEV-Boost, have become so ubiquitous that they may as well be built into the core protocol.