Neo X Activates Anti-MEV Protections on Mainnet, Aiming to Reshape Fair Blockchain Transactions

By Aaron Watts

A protocol-level approach to MEV

Neo has activated Anti-MEV protections on its Neo X MainNet with the release of version 0.4.2, following earlier testing on its TestNet. The upgrade targets Maximum Extractable Value (MEV), a practice where validators can profit by reordering or manipulating transactions, often to the detriment of everyday users.

Neo X MainNet upgraded to v0.4.2 — Anti-MEV is officially live!

A decisive step toward a fair, censorship-resistant, and truly decentralized future. https://t.co/J93JWNzOuP

— Neo (@Neo_Blockchain) September 15, 2025

Harmful MEV activities—such as front-running, sandwich attacks, and block reordering—are often described as a hidden tax within blockchain networks. By addressing them directly at the protocol level, Neo aims to set a new benchmark for decentralization and user-first blockchain design.

The system combines several mechanisms to reduce opportunities for exploitation. These include Neo’s delegated Byzantine Fault Tolerance (dBFT) consensus to deter validator misconduct, Enveloped Transactions that conceal details until they are finalized in a block, and a zero-knowledge-based Distributed Key Generation system to support threshold encryption. Together, these tools make it more difficult for actors to manipulate transaction order for profit.

“MEV isn’t inevitable, it’s a choice. Too many treat it as an unavoidable byproduct of blockchains. It is not. MEV is engineered into incentives, and it can be engineered out. By eliminating MEV, we protect users, strengthen decentralization, and create a more competitive and investable ecosystem.”
—Da Hongfei, founder of Neo

Aligning with Web3’s long-term vision

For Neo, the upgrade reflects more than a technical adjustment. The project frames fairness and transparency as essential to building a resilient Web3 ecosystem. By eliminating toxic MEV, the network aims to improve decentralization, bolster user confidence, and create conditions for a more competitive environment for developers and investors alike.5

Neo X functions as a high-performance EVM-compatible sidechain that incorporates dBFT consensus and Anti-MEV protections. With these features now active on MainNet, the platform presents itself as one of the first chains to take a systemic approach against harmful MEV practices.

The bottom line

Neo X’s Anti-MEV activation on MainNet signals a commitment to fairness at the infrastructure level. By redesigning incentives and adopting cryptographic safeguards, Neo is positioning itself as a blockchain ecosystem where decentralization and user protection are prioritized, reinforcing a vision of Web3 that resists hidden costs and favors transparency.

Source:: Neo X Activates Anti-MEV Protections on Mainnet, Aiming to Reshape Fair Blockchain Transactions