It could happen with a rogue employee. Marathon is big enough there could be multiple people with access to this portal with one thinking they could outsmart everybody. I'd like to make a deal directly with a miner and have it documented on paper so there is proof. Still, its better than blindly trying to time the block before a bot gets it.
If "if" was a fifth, the whole world wold be drunk lol.
You can do it however suits you. I've done some research and testing and I am telling people one way to do it. To each their own.
But I do not think you understand Mara.
Even if they did have this rogue employee, it would be easy to investigate and find out who, what, where, when, why.
Mara is worth 5.76 Billion dollars, are publicly traded, just bought $100 million in bitcoin, and mine and average of 7 bitcoin blocks a day.
You think they would risk public scrutiny, investigation, etc. over 6.6 BTC, over $429,000? When they are worth billions and have a lot at stake, in the public's eye?
I don't. If it did happen, I am pretty sure they would figure out who did what, and settle the matter, quietly and fair versus risking millions of dollars over 6.6 BTC.
And you crack me up. You would make an agreement with just a run of the mill mining pool/miner? Ok, so you have it in writing. Now let's say the same thing happens in your scenario. The person/miner who you have whatever in writing with, slides that info over to another miner. Same thing could happen there, but people who are miners in that pool won't care. Why would they? That miner you signed whatever with probably isn't under rules and regulations. Then it's just he said, she said.
But at least with slipstream, you have some comfort in knowing they are a legit, legal entity, publicly traded, have to answer to shareholders, officials, etc.
But again, everyone do what you think is best for you/what you can stomach.
People wanted a way to do this, and I have shown one option, a super great option IMO. That is all.