Skip to content
How-to guides
Insights

Overview

How to Use MEV Protection

Protect your transactions from sandwich attacks and front-running. Use private mempools and MEV blockers.

SecurityAdvancedEstimated reading time20-30 minutes7 stepsPrerequisites: MetaMask or compatible wallet, Understanding of transaction mechanics, Active trading or large swaps
On this page

Quick Overview

1Understand Your Risk
2Add Flashbots Protect RPC
3Switch to Protected Network
4Use MEV-Protected DEXs
5Set Appropriate Slippage
6Consider Transaction Timing
7Verify Protection

MEV (Maximal Extractable Value) lets sophisticated actors profit from your transactions through front-running, sandwich attacks, and arbitrage. Protection tools help you avoid these losses.

Types of MEV Attacks

Sandwich Attack:
  1. Bot sees your buy order
  2. Bot buys before you (front-run)
  3. Your order executes at higher price
  4. Bot sells after you (back-run)
Front-Running:

Bots copy your profitable transaction and execute it first with higher gas.

MEV Protection Options

ToolMethodCost
. . .. . . .. . .
Flashbots ProtectPrivate mempoolFree
MEV BlockerOFA auctionFree
CowswapBatch auctionFree

. -

Track your DeFi safely with Fensory. Monitor all transactions. Start Tracking →

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Understand Your Risk

MEV impacts large swaps most. Trades under $1k rarely attract MEV attention.

Tips

  • ✓Larger trades = more MEV risk
  • ✓Popular tokens targeted more
  • ✓Low liquidity pools more vulnerable
2

Add Flashbots Protect RPC

Add Flashbots RPC to MetaMask: Settings → Networks → Add Network.

Tips

  • ✓RPC URL: rpc.flashbots.net
  • ✓Same chain ID as Ethereum (1)
  • ✓Free to use
3

Switch to Protected Network

When making large swaps, switch to Flashbots network in MetaMask.

Tips

  • ✓Transactions go to private mempool
  • ✓Not visible to MEV bots
  • ✓Switch back after
4

Use MEV-Protected DEXs

Cowswap and 1inch Fusion have built-in MEV protection.

Tips

  • ✓Cowswap batches orders
  • ✓1inch Fusion uses resolvers
  • ✓No RPC change needed
5

Set Appropriate Slippage

Lower slippage reduces MEV opportunity but may cause failed transactions.

Tips

  • ✓0.5% for stable pairs
  • ✓1-3% for volatile pairs
  • ✓Do not set unnecessarily high
6

Consider Transaction Timing

MEV is most active during high-volume periods. Off-peak may have less MEV.

Tips

  • ✓Less competition = less MEV
  • ✓Not guaranteed protection
7

Verify Protection

Check that transactions are going through protected routes.

Tips

  • ✓Flashbots explorer shows private txs
  • ✓Compare execution vs quote

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Resources

Protocols

Uniswap

Put this guide into practice. See current yields.

Track live yields, compare protocols, and build your DeFi portfolio with Fensory.

Open the appArrow right