MEV Boost relay: ERC20 vs TRC20 — Which is Cheaper?

MEV Boost Relay: ERC20 vs TRC20 — Which is Cheaper?

If you're running an MEV Boost relay to capture block-building profits, every USDT fee matters. ERC20 and TRC20 are the two dominant transfer options, but they differ wildly in cost. Let's break down the numbers as of March 2026.

The Cost Breakdown

ERC20 (Ethereum) - Gas fee per transaction: ~$0.50 to $2.00 (varies with network congestion) - Confirmation time: 10–30 seconds - Typical relay payout: 0.01 ETH ($20) → fee ~1-10%

TRC20 (Tron) - Fixed fee: 10 TRX (~$0.80) or free if staked - Confirmation time: 2–5 seconds - Typical relay payout: 0.01 ETH → fee ~4% (if using TRX)

Real-World Example

Using the BloXroute Max Profit Relay (Jan 2026): - ERC20 USDT payout: $1.20 fee on a $200 profit → 0.6% - TRC20 USDT payout: $0.80 fee on the same profit → 0.4%

For small frequent payouts (e.g., $10), ERC20 fees can eat 10-20%, while TRC20 remains under 10%. For large infrequent payouts ($500+), ERC20 is often cheaper because fees don't scale with amount.

USDT Payment Considerations

When buying relay access or paying for MEV software (like Flashbots or Manifold), you'll likely use USDT. TRC20 is preferred for small recurring payments (e.g., monthly $30 subscriptions) because fees are low and predictable. ERC20 is better for large one-time purchases (e.g., $5,000 relay license) where gas is a tiny fraction.

Which Should You Choose?

• **Small, frequent payouts (< $100):** TRC20 wins — fees are capped.
• **Large, rare payouts (> $500):** ERC20 wins — percentage cost is negligible.
• **Speed:** TRC20 is faster (2s vs 15s), but both are acceptable for relays.

Final Verdict

For most MEV relay operators, TRC20 is the cheaper option for day-to-day operations. But if you're moving big profits, ERC20's lower percentage fee saves you money. Always calculate your average transaction size to decide.

Ready to optimize your relay costs? Buy access to premium relays via USDT (TRC20 or ERC20) at our marketplace.