#33 - Tom Zhao: Rsync Rivals Titan: Block Builder Controling 30% Of Ethereum's Blocks

Welcome to Scraping Bits, Episode #33, where we dive into the world of block building with Tom from rsync, a key player in the field. In this episode, we explore strategies for maximizing profits in the competitive space of block building.

Tom shares insights on identifying profitable blocks, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and adaptation. He discusses the transition from trading to block building, driven by a desire to address inefficiencies in the existing setup and improve speed and decision-making.

Maximizing profits involves balancing reputation-building and optimizing transactions in blocks. Tom highlights the significance of being smarter in sorting transactions and the flexibility to interact strategically with blocks. Speed is crucial, requiring efficient infrastructure to process transactions quickly.

Different block builders attract traders based on their strengths, with winning blocks building credibility. However, the choice depends on traders' goals and risk assessment. To sum up, maximizing profit in block building requires adapting to market trends, prioritizing smart transaction sorting, maintaining speed, and building trust to secure profitable transactions.

00:00:00 - Introduction to block building challenges and the importance of spotting opportunities

00:03:09 - Balancing strategies and risk assessments in block building

00:08:43 - Maximizing profits and the significance of being smart and swift in block building

00:14:03 - Initial vision and motivation for building a block builder

00:19:06 - Testing and optimizing block building approaches

00:23:19 - The future of block building and the potential growth of more MEV teams as builders

00:27:43 - Challenges and considerations for those interested in block building

00:32:15 - Prioritizing tasks and opportunities in block building

00:34:29 - Balancing work and avoiding burnout in the block building industry

00:39:36 - Overcoming procrastination and maintaining focus on the work at hand

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Keywords: solo auditor, public auditing platforms, private audits, scalability, freedom, Scraping Bits podcast, blockchain technology, audit industry, industry impact, flashbots, reverse engineering, cybersecurity, infosec.