diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index c8c380e0..b7f8f8e0 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -4189,7 +4189,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "reth-primitives",
  "serde",
  "tokio",
- "toml 0.5.11",
+ "toml 0.8.2",
  "tracing",
  "tracing-subscriber",
 ]
@@ -7829,7 +7829,19 @@ dependencies = [
  "serde",
  "serde_spanned",
  "toml_datetime",
- "toml_edit",
+ "toml_edit 0.19.15",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "toml"
+version = "0.8.2"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "185d8ab0dfbb35cf1399a6344d8484209c088f75f8f68230da55d48d95d43e3d"
+dependencies = [
+ "serde",
+ "serde_spanned",
+ "toml_datetime",
+ "toml_edit 0.20.2",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -7854,6 +7866,19 @@ dependencies = [
  "winnow",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "toml_edit"
+version = "0.20.2"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "396e4d48bbb2b7554c944bde63101b5ae446cff6ec4a24227428f15eb72ef338"
+dependencies = [
+ "indexmap 2.0.2",
+ "serde",
+ "serde_spanned",
+ "toml_datetime",
+ "winnow",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "tower"
 version = "0.4.13"
diff --git a/bin/mev/Cargo.toml b/bin/mev/Cargo.toml
index 9a8543eb..ab356024 100644
--- a/bin/mev/Cargo.toml
+++ b/bin/mev/Cargo.toml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ mev-build-rs = { path = "../../mev-build-rs" }
 mev-rs = { path = "../../mev-rs" }
 
 serde = { version = "1.0", features = ["derive"] }
-toml = "0.5.9"
+toml = "0.8.2"
 
 clap = { version = "4.1.4", features = ["derive", "env"] }
 anyhow = "1.0.57"
diff --git a/bin/mev/src/cmd/boost.rs b/bin/mev/src/cmd/boost.rs
index 290306ee..afb99b04 100644
--- a/bin/mev/src/cmd/boost.rs
+++ b/bin/mev/src/cmd/boost.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 use crate::cmd::config::Config;
 use anyhow::{anyhow, Result};
 use clap::Args;
-use ethereum_consensus::networks::Network;
+use tracing::info;
 use mev_boost_rs::Service;
 
 #[derive(Debug, Args)]
@@ -12,14 +12,16 @@ pub struct Command {
 }
 
 impl Command {
-    pub async fn execute(&self, network: Network) -> Result<()> {
+    pub async fn execute(self) -> Result<()> {
         let config_file = &self.config_file;
 
         let config = Config::from_toml_file(config_file)?;
 
-        if let Some(mut config) = config.boost {
-            config.network = network;
-            Ok(Service::from(config).spawn(None)?.await?)
+        let network = config.network;
+        info!("configured for {network}");
+
+        if let Some(config) = config.boost {
+            Ok(Service::from(network, config).spawn(None)?.await?)
         } else {
             Err(anyhow!("missing boost config from file provided"))
         }
diff --git a/bin/mev/src/cmd/build/mod.rs b/bin/mev/src/cmd/build/mod.rs
index e4c62548..ebff4ed5 100644
--- a/bin/mev/src/cmd/build/mod.rs
+++ b/bin/mev/src/cmd/build/mod.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ mod reth_ext;
 
 use anyhow::Result;
 use clap::Args;
-use ethereum_consensus::networks::Network;
 use reth_ext::{launch_reth_with, RethNodeExt};
 
 #[derive(Debug, Args)]
@@ -13,8 +12,8 @@ pub struct Command {
 }
 
 impl Command {
-    pub async fn execute(&self, network: Network) -> Result<()> {
-        let ext = RethNodeExt { config_file: self.config_file.clone(), network, config: None };
+    pub async fn execute(self) -> Result<()> {
+        let ext = RethNodeExt { config_file: self.config_file.clone(), network: None, config: None };
         launch_reth_with(ext).await;
         Ok(())
     }
diff --git a/bin/mev/src/cmd/build/reth_ext.rs b/bin/mev/src/cmd/build/reth_ext.rs
index 1a47721d..de3e2b01 100644
--- a/bin/mev/src/cmd/build/reth_ext.rs
+++ b/bin/mev/src/cmd/build/reth_ext.rs
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ use ethereum_consensus::{
     state_transition::Context,
 };
 use mev_build_rs::reth_builder::{Config as BuildConfig, DeadlineBidder, Service};
+use tracing::warn;
 use reth::{
     cli::ext::{RethCliExt, RethNodeCommandConfig},
     node::NodeCommand,
@@ -25,7 +26,7 @@ pub struct RethNodeExt {
     #[clap(skip)]
     pub config_file: String,
     #[clap(skip)]
-    pub network: Network,
+    pub network: Option<Network>,
     #[clap(skip)]
     pub config: Option<BuildConfig>,
 }
@@ -34,6 +35,7 @@ impl RethNodeExt {
     pub fn get_build_config(&mut self) -> BuildConfig {
         self.config.take().unwrap_or_else(|| {
             let config = Config::from_toml_file(&self.config_file).unwrap();
+            self.network = Some(config.network);
             let config = config.build.unwrap();
             self.config = Some(config.clone());
             config
@@ -61,7 +63,7 @@ impl RethNodeCommandConfig for RethNodeExt {
         Tasks: reth::tasks::TaskSpawner + Clone + Unpin + 'static,
     {
         let build_config = self.get_build_config();
-        let network = &self.network;
+        let network = self.network.as_ref().unwrap();
         let context = Arc::new(Context::try_from(network)?);
         let clock = context.clock().unwrap_or_else(|| {
             let genesis_time = networks::typical_genesis_time(&context);
@@ -110,7 +112,8 @@ pub(crate) async fn launch_reth_with(mut ext: RethNodeExt) {
 
     let config = ext.get_build_config();
 
-    let network_name = format!("{0}", ext.network);
+    let network = ext.network.as_ref().unwrap();
+    let network_name = format!("{network}");
 
     let mut params = vec!["".into(), "--chain".into(), network_name.to_string(), "--http".into()];
     if let Some(path) = config.jwt_secret_path {
@@ -122,6 +125,6 @@ pub(crate) async fn launch_reth_with(mut ext: RethNodeExt) {
     // NOTE: shim to pass in config
     node.ext = ext;
     if let Err(err) = node.execute(ctx).await {
-        tracing::warn!("{err:?}");
+        warn!("{err:?}");
     }
 }
diff --git a/bin/mev/src/cmd/config.rs b/bin/mev/src/cmd/config.rs
index 3d702065..3a5fd88d 100644
--- a/bin/mev/src/cmd/config.rs
+++ b/bin/mev/src/cmd/config.rs
@@ -6,9 +6,11 @@ use mev_build_rs::reth_builder::Config as BuildConfig;
 use mev_relay_rs::Config as RelayConfig;
 use serde::Deserialize;
 use std::{fmt, path::Path};
+use tracing::info;
 
 #[derive(Debug, Deserialize)]
 pub struct Config {
+    pub network: Network,
     pub boost: Option<BoostConfig>,
     #[serde(rename = "builder")]
     pub build: Option<BuildConfig>,
@@ -19,10 +21,10 @@ impl Config {
     pub fn from_toml_file<P: AsRef<Path> + fmt::Display + Clone>(path: P) -> Result<Config> {
         tracing::info!("loading config from `{path}`...");
 
-        let config_data = std::fs::read(path.as_ref())
+        let config_data = std::fs::read_to_string(path.as_ref())
             .with_context(|| format!("could not read config from `{path}`"))?;
 
-        toml::from_slice(&config_data).context("could not parse TOML")
+        toml::from_str(&config_data).context("could not parse TOML")
     }
 }
 
@@ -34,12 +36,11 @@ pub struct Command {
 }
 
 impl Command {
-    pub async fn execute(&self, network: Network) -> Result<()> {
-        let config_file = &self.config_file;
+    pub async fn execute(self) -> Result<()> {
+        let config_file = self.config_file;
 
         let config = Config::from_toml_file(config_file)?;
-
-        tracing::info!("configured for network `{}` with configuration {:#?}", network, config);
+        info!("{config:#?}");
 
         Ok(())
     }
diff --git a/bin/mev/src/cmd/relay.rs b/bin/mev/src/cmd/relay.rs
index 818a6ca5..4fcdb41b 100644
--- a/bin/mev/src/cmd/relay.rs
+++ b/bin/mev/src/cmd/relay.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 use crate::cmd::config::Config;
 use anyhow::{anyhow, Result};
 use clap::{Args, Subcommand};
-use ethereum_consensus::networks::Network;
 use mev_relay_rs::Service;
+use tracing::info;
 
 #[derive(Debug, Args)]
 #[clap(about = "🏗 connecting builders to proposers", subcommand_negates_reqs = true)]
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ pub enum Commands {
 }
 
 impl Command {
-    pub async fn execute(&self, network: Network) -> Result<()> {
+    pub async fn execute(self) -> Result<()> {
         let (config_file, _mock) = if let Some(subcommand) = self.command.as_ref() {
             match subcommand {
                 Commands::Mock { config_file } => (config_file, true),
@@ -31,9 +31,11 @@ impl Command {
 
         let config = Config::from_toml_file(config_file)?;
 
-        if let Some(mut config) = config.relay {
-            config.network = network;
-            let service = Service::from(config).spawn(None).await?;
+        let network = config.network;
+        info!("configured for {network}");
+
+        if let Some(config) = config.relay {
+            let service = Service::from(network, config).spawn(None).await?;
             Ok(service.await?)
         } else {
             Err(anyhow!("missing relay config from file provided"))
diff --git a/bin/mev/src/main.rs b/bin/mev/src/main.rs
index 72ae02e3..80b70c13 100644
--- a/bin/mev/src/main.rs
+++ b/bin/mev/src/main.rs
@@ -1,42 +1,14 @@
 mod cmd;
 
 use anyhow::Result;
-use clap::{ArgGroup, Parser, Subcommand};
-use ethereum_consensus::networks::Network;
+use clap::{Parser, Subcommand};
 use std::future::Future;
 use tokio::signal;
 use tracing_subscriber::{layer::SubscriberExt, util::SubscriberInitExt};
 
-#[derive(Default, Debug, Clone, clap::ValueEnum)]
-pub enum NetworkArg {
-    #[default]
-    Mainnet,
-    Sepolia,
-    Goerli,
-    Holesky,
-}
-
-// NOTE: define this mapping so only this crate needs the `clap` dependency while still being able
-// to use the `clap::ValueEnum` machinery
-impl From<NetworkArg> for Network {
-    fn from(arg: NetworkArg) -> Self {
-        match arg {
-            NetworkArg::Mainnet => Self::Mainnet,
-            NetworkArg::Sepolia => Self::Sepolia,
-            NetworkArg::Goerli => Self::Goerli,
-            NetworkArg::Holesky => Self::Holesky,
-        }
-    }
-}
-
 #[derive(Debug, Parser)]
 #[clap(author, version, about = "utilities for block space", long_about = None)]
-#[clap(group(ArgGroup::new("network-config").args(&["network", "network_config"])))]
 struct Cli {
-    #[clap(long, value_enum, value_name = "NETWORK")]
-    network: Option<NetworkArg>,
-    #[clap(long, value_name = "FILE")]
-    network_config: Option<String>,
     #[clap(subcommand)]
     command: Commands,
 }
@@ -72,25 +44,12 @@ async fn run_task_until_signal(task: impl Future<Output = Result<()>>) -> Result
 async fn main() -> Result<()> {
     let cli = Cli::parse();
 
-    let network = if let Some(network) = cli.network {
-        network.into()
-    } else if let Some(network_config) = cli.network_config {
-        // use custom config if provided
-        Network::Custom(network_config)
-    } else {
-        // default to `mainnet` if no network configuration is provided
-        let network = NetworkArg::Mainnet;
-        network.into()
-    };
-
     setup_logging();
 
-    tracing::info!("configured for {network}");
-
     match cli.command {
-        Commands::Boost(cmd) => run_task_until_signal(cmd.execute(network)).await,
-        Commands::Build(cmd) => run_task_until_signal(cmd.execute(network)).await,
-        Commands::Relay(cmd) => run_task_until_signal(cmd.execute(network)).await,
-        Commands::Config(cmd) => run_task_until_signal(cmd.execute(network)).await,
+        Commands::Boost(cmd) => run_task_until_signal(cmd.execute()).await,
+        Commands::Build(cmd) => run_task_until_signal(cmd.execute()).await,
+        Commands::Relay(cmd) => run_task_until_signal(cmd.execute()).await,
+        Commands::Config(cmd) => run_task_until_signal(cmd.execute()).await,
     }
 }
diff --git a/example.config.toml b/example.config.toml
index d1e26f86..39a58b9f 100644
--- a/example.config.toml
+++ b/example.config.toml
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+network = "holesky"
+
 [boost]
 host = "0.0.0.0"
 port = 18550
diff --git a/mev-boost-rs/src/service.rs b/mev-boost-rs/src/service.rs
index e8947dfa..930be59f 100644
--- a/mev-boost-rs/src/service.rs
+++ b/mev-boost-rs/src/service.rs
@@ -20,18 +20,11 @@ pub struct Config {
     pub host: Ipv4Addr,
     pub port: u16,
     pub relays: Vec<String>,
-    #[serde(default)]
-    pub network: Network,
 }
 
 impl Default for Config {
     fn default() -> Self {
-        Self {
-            host: Ipv4Addr::UNSPECIFIED,
-            port: 18550,
-            relays: vec![],
-            network: Network::default(),
-        }
+        Self { host: Ipv4Addr::UNSPECIFIED, port: 18550, relays: vec![] }
     }
 }
 
@@ -58,10 +51,10 @@ pub struct Service {
 }
 
 impl Service {
-    pub fn from(config: Config) -> Self {
+    pub fn from(network: Network, config: Config) -> Self {
         let relays = parse_relay_endpoints(&config.relays);
 
-        Self { host: config.host, port: config.port, relays, network: config.network }
+        Self { host: config.host, port: config.port, relays, network }
     }
 
     /// Spawns a new [`RelayMux`] and [`BlindedBlockProviderServer`] task
diff --git a/mev-boost-rs/tests/integration.rs b/mev-boost-rs/tests/integration.rs
index 30eaf76b..c6ebb95d 100644
--- a/mev-boost-rs/tests/integration.rs
+++ b/mev-boost-rs/tests/integration.rs
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ use ethereum_consensus::{
     builder::{SignedValidatorRegistration, ValidatorRegistration},
     capella::mainnet as capella,
     crypto::SecretKey,
+    networks::Network,
     phase0::mainnet::{compute_domain, Validator},
     primitives::{DomainType, ExecutionAddress, Hash32, Root},
     signing::sign_with_domain,
@@ -96,7 +97,8 @@ async fn test_end_to_end() {
     config.relays.push(format!("http://{relay_public_key}@127.0.0.1:{port}"));
 
     let mux_port = config.port;
-    let service = Service::from(config);
+    let network = Network::Sepolia;
+    let service = Service::from(network, config);
     service.spawn(Some(context.clone())).unwrap();
 
     let beacon_node = RelayClient::new(ApiClient::new(
diff --git a/mev-relay-rs/src/service.rs b/mev-relay-rs/src/service.rs
index b4ad6bf3..915c58d0 100644
--- a/mev-relay-rs/src/service.rs
+++ b/mev-relay-rs/src/service.rs
@@ -17,8 +17,6 @@ pub struct Config {
     pub host: Ipv4Addr,
     pub port: u16,
     pub beacon_node_url: String,
-    #[serde(default)]
-    pub network: Network,
     pub secret_key: SecretKey,
 }
 
@@ -28,7 +26,6 @@ impl Default for Config {
             host: Ipv4Addr::LOCALHOST,
             port: 28545,
             beacon_node_url: "http://127.0.0.1:5052".into(),
-            network: Default::default(),
             secret_key: Default::default(),
         }
     }
@@ -43,14 +40,14 @@ pub struct Service {
 }
 
 impl Service {
-    pub fn from(config: Config) -> Self {
+    pub fn from(network: Network, config: Config) -> Self {
         let endpoint: Url = config.beacon_node_url.parse().unwrap();
         let beacon_node = Client::new(endpoint);
         Self {
             host: config.host,
             port: config.port,
             beacon_node,
-            network: config.network,
+            network: network,
             secret_key: config.secret_key,
         }
     }