Manifold Finance

Founded in 2020 by Sam Bacha, Manifold Finance is a decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol that develops middleware solutions to address Maximal Extractable Value (MEV) on the Ethereum blockchain. The company functions as an intermediary between Ethereum users and validators, aiming to optimize transaction order to maximize returns for stakeholders. The firm's core business revolves around capturing and redistributing MEV revenue, protecting users from negative externalities like front-running and sandwich attacks, and providing infrastructure for validators.

Manifold's product suite includes SecureRPC, a service that offers MEV protection by routing transactions through a private mempool, and mevETH, a liquid staking token designed to deliver enhanced yields by capturing MEV opportunities that are often inaccessible to other liquid staking platforms. The company operates across the full Ethereum validation stack, including block building and relays, which allows for more sophisticated MEV strategies. It has formed partnerships with other DeFi protocols, such as Sushiswap, to integrate its services. Revenue is generated through its block building business and a share of the MEV captured, which is also distributed to holders of its native FOLD token.

The company serves a range of clients, from retail users and developers to validators and institutional investors. In 2023, Manifold launched a new MEV protocol featuring an auction system that allows for multiple winners per slot, competing with established players like Flashbots. The launch of mevETH was kickstarted by securing over 28,000 ETH in staked assets.

Keywords: Maximal Extractable Value, MEV, liquid staking, Ethereum, DeFi, blockchain infrastructure, SecureRPC, mevETH, staking rewards, transaction ordering, block builder, validator services, front-running protection, DeFi protocols, middleware solutions, crypto asset staking, on-chain protocol extensions, FOLD token, decentralized finance, trade execution