In our blog, we often cover tools that help developers and users get the most out of blockchain networks. Today, we’re taking a closer look at bloXroute – a powerful solution designed for ultra-fast transaction propagation, highest block inclusion rates, and enhanced performance for blockchain nodes and applications.
Let’s break down how bloXroute works, the advantages of its Blockchain Distribution Network (BDN), and how it can be leveraged for a better DeFi experience.
bloXroute overview: Highlights
bloXroute is building an infrastructure that aims to eliminate blockchain network bottlenecks and reduce latency, ensuring that transactions are communicated and included in a block faster and more reliably.
Its flagship product, the Blockchain Distribution Network (BDN), is designed to speed up data propagation across blockchain networks: how fast we see blockchain data, send and land transactions;
The BDN is deployed across Ethereum, Solana, TON, and EVM chains like BNB Chain and Polygon;
bloXroute offers additional products – Trader APIs, Protected Transactions, and Validator Gateways – that rely on the BDN to ensure that transactions are seen and processed as quickly as possible.
This system allows bloXroute to deliver ultra-fast, secure, and scalable blockchain communication for traders needing fast execution, developers looking for optimized node performance, or validators aiming for better block rewards.
What is bloXroute
bloXroute is a technology firm providing a powerful blockchain infrastructure that helps crypto networks handle more transactions with reduced delays and increased reliability.
The high-speed Blockchain Distribution Network (BDN) is bloXroute’s core innovation. It powers all of their services like Trader APIs, MEV protection, and block propagation tools.
BDN’s performance compared to standard node setups / Source: bloXroute Labs
The technology was developed by bloXroute Labs, founded around 2018 by a group of researchers specializing in computer networks and cryptocurrency systems. By 2019, the BDN was live on Ethereum and has steadily expanded to other EVM chains and ecosystems like Solana and TON.
Over the years, bloXroute has grown into a recognized provider of a low-latency blockchain network for traders, high-performance blockchain applications, block builders, and validators.
How does bloXroute work?
When sending a transaction to a blockchain, it first goes to a node and then propagates through the peer-to-peer network. BloXroute accelerates this process by using its optimized Blockchain Distribution Network (BDN), the core piece of this system.
New to blockchain nodes? Learn how they work, communicate, and how to run one in our in-depth blog post.
bloXroute BDN
BloXroute’s Blockchain Distribution Network (BDN) is a private networking layer, separate from the blockchains’ default public networks.
BDN participants send and receive transactions or blocks much faster than using standard P2P broadcast systems (e.g. Ethereum nodes’ GossipSub or Solana’s Turbine).
Source: bloXroute Docs
Let’s look at the core components that support this system:
Relays: The BDN is composed of relay servers located around the world in a way that the path between them is as efficient as possible, reducing hop counts and latency.
Gateways: These are open-source software that runs on the same instance as a blockchain node and connects it to the BDN. They forward transactions to the Relay network.
Optimized routing: Advanced routing techniques (cut-through routing, compression, and indexing) speed up data delivery to block producers, validators, and other peers in the network.
The BDN works with multiple chains – Ethereum, BNB Chain, Polygon, Solana, and TON.
bloXroute API
The high-speed propagation provided by the BDN is the foundation for bloXroute's other products and services. One of them is bloXroute’s Trader APIs – specialized interfaces that handle fast transaction broadcasts. They come in three main flavors today: EVM, TON, and Solana API.
These APIs integrate with additional components. Let’s, for example, look at Solana Trader API’s features:
- Multiple execution modes: Users can enable Stake-weighted QoS (swQoS) to target the highest-stake validators directly or choose FastBestEffort to balance speed with front-running protection;
- MEV protection: It supports Jito MEV’s bundling feature and private transactions (limiting who sees operations before they land on-chain), which can shield from sandwich attacks or front-runs;
- Priority fee & tip streams: The API can provide real-time data on how much tip (priority fee) is needed to ensure faster inclusion;
- DEX data streams: Solana Trader API provides unified endpoints for real-time data from multiple DEXs and applications like Raydium, Jupiter, Openbook, and Pump.fun.
Altogether, this helps traders, developers, and dApps to optimize their operations and protect against potential attacks.
bloXroute use cases and benefits
The default configuration of a standard blockchain node may not be best optimized for the speed and real-time efficiency required in DeFi. bloXroute addresses these challenges, which makes it perfectly tailored for various DeFi use cases.
Trading
bloXroute is particularly helpful for competitive trading strategies as traders get:
- Faster transactions execution: The BDN ensures trades or smart contract executions can arrive at block producers hundreds of milliseconds faster than with public RPC nodes.
- Higher success rates: Faster propagation means a better chance that transactions get included in the next block/slot.
- Front-running protection: Private transaction modes protect orders from malicious actors by keeping them hidden until they're included in a block.
This is especially valuable for DeFi users executing large trades.
DeFi applications
bloXroute’s technology reduces the time it takes for transactions and blocks to reach nodes. This enables dApps to execute trades, update states, and confirm transactions much faster. These latency improvements translate into more responsive, reliable user interactions with the application.
bloXroute for MEV
Reduced latency bloXroute offers can be the difference between winning or missing an arbitrage opportunity. On Solana, for instance, bloXroute’s internal benchmarks show lower P90 latency than alternative solutions.
Additionally, users get earlier insight into transactions in the block or pending transactions. For example, according to the Ethereum BDN explorer, bloXroute delivers about 95% of transactions ahead of others using only public P2P.
Validators and Block Builders can receive and submit blocks faster, reducing the risk of missing out on rewards. In Ethereum particularly, bloXroute is a dominant relay provider, capturing nearly 50% of the total activity.
MEV-Boost Analytics / Source: RelayScan
bloXroute Max Profit Relay, optimized for the most profitable block-building strategies, is the second-largest. The Regulated Relay that caters to compliance-conscious builders follows in third place.
How to start using BDN
If you run your own blockchain node (e.g. full Solana, BNB Chain, or Ethereum node), you can install and run the bloXroute Local Gateway:
- Download the Gateway software (available via GitHub or as a Docker container).
- Run it with the required startup arguments (e.g., authentication and certificate configuration).
- Add the Gateway as a trusted peer to your node.
Instead of managing your own gateway, you can also use bloXroute’s Cloud API endpoints. These endpoints allow you to send transactions and subscribe to block or transaction streams without any local setup.
However, if you’re using GetBlock, you can enjoy the benefits of bloXroute’s without managing any additional infrastructure.
We're exploring how bloXroute’s innovative approach can complement our mission of offering fast, reliable, and scalable access to blockchain – specifically for Solana nodes. Your node still runs as usual but with an additional high-speed data source, low latency transaction propagation, and front-running protection.
Want to explore bloXroute with GetBlock? Contact us to discuss how to leverage this integration for your setup!
bloXroute: A game-changer for blockchain networks
bloXroute’s infrastructure essentially upgrades the blockchain's networking layer for DeFi, not only speeding up transaction inclusion and distribution but also improving their security.
Having a high‐throughput route can be a big advantage for decentralized applications, professional traders, MEV searchers, or validators and block builders.
Its high-performance distribution network (BDN) is applicable across multiple blockchains. When combined with GetBlock’s nodes, you gain a tailored, reliable solution that meets the demands of today’s crypto landscape.
