What is PBS (Proposer-Builder Separation)?

PBS, which splits the roles of proposers and builders, enhances blockchain security by preventing transaction censorship or manipulation for increased scalability.

Feb 24, 2025 at 06:42 pm

Key Points of PBS (Proposer-Builder Separation)

• PBS separates the roles of block proposers and builders.
• This increases security and scalability in blockchains.
• Many leading blockchains, such as Ethereum, are adopting PBS.

What is PBS (Proposer-Builder Separation)?

PBS (Proposer-Builder Separation) is a blockchain architecture that separates the roles of block proposers and builders. In traditional blockchain architectures, the same entities that propose new blocks (proposers) also create the transactions that go into those blocks (builders). This can lead to centralization and security risks, as proposers could censor or manipulate transactions.

PBS addresses these issues by separating the roles of proposers and builders. Proposers are responsible for proposing new blocks to the blockchain, while builders create the transactions that go into those blocks. This separation of duties helps to prevent proposers from censoring or manipulating transactions, as they do not have the ability to create transactions themselves.

Benefits of PBS

There are several benefits to using PBS in blockchains. These benefits include:

• Increased Security: PBS makes blockchains more secure by preventing proposers from censoring or manipulating transactions. This is because proposers do not have the ability to create transactions themselves, so they cannot censor or manipulate them.
• Increased Scalability: PBS can help to improve the scalability of blockchains by reducing the workload of proposers. This is because proposers are only responsible for proposing new blocks, and not for creating the transactions that go into those blocks. This can free up proposers to propose more blocks, which can help to improve the performance of the blockchain.
• Increased Decentralization: PBS can help to increase the decentralization of blockchains by making it easier for new entities to participate in the process of block creation. This is because builders do not need to have the same level of resources as proposers, so they can be more easily distributed across the network.

Adoption of PBS

PBS is a relatively new concept, but it is rapidly gaining popularity in the blockchain industry. Several leading blockchains, such as Ethereum, are adopting PBS. This is a sign that PBS is a viable and effective way to improve the security, scalability, and decentralization of blockchains.

FAQs on PBS

Q: What is the difference between a proposer and a builder?
A: A proposer is responsible for proposing new blocks to the blockchain, while a builder creates the transactions that go into those blocks.

Q: Why is PBS important?
A: PBS is important because it helps to improve the security, scalability, and decentralization of blockchains.

Q: Which blockchains are using PBS?
A: Several leading blockchains, such as Ethereum, are adopting PBS.