BNB Chain’s Pascal Hardfork Set to Bring Enhanced EVM Compatibility and Developer Flexibility
BNB Chain, the blockchain network powered by Binance, is gearing up for a major upgrade known as the Pascal hardfork. This upgrade is designed to introduce several enhancements to the network, with a focus on improving Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility and providing developers with greater flexibility. The Pascal hardfork is scheduled to go live on the mainnet on March 20.
Following a successful testnet release of the hardfork in February, the BNB Chain team is now preparing for the mainnet deployment. The upgrade aims to bring EVM compatibility to the BNB Chain network through the implementation of improvement proposal EIP-7702. This will allow externally owned accounts to execute smart contract code, enabling wallets to act as smart contracts for gasless transactions, batch approvals, and swaps.
Key Features of BNB Chain’s Pascal Hardfork:
- Enhanced EVM compatibility for improved user experience
- Gasless transactions and batch approvals
- Improved web3 onboarding for decentralized applications
Prior to the mainnet launch of the Pascal hardfork, node operators, validators, exchanges, and developers are advised to update their systems to ensure compatibility. Failing to do so could result in participants being out of sync with the network post-upgrade.
Looking ahead, BNB Chain has outlined two key milestones in network speed improvements. The Lorentz hardfork, expected in April 2025, aims to achieve faster block times of 1.5 seconds. Following that, the Maxwell hardfork in June 2025 is set to further enhance transaction speeds, with sub-second finality at 0.75 seconds.
These upgrades are part of BNB Chain’s strategy to target growth in decentralized finance (DeFi) and artificial intelligence (AI) sectors. The intersection of DeFi and AI has led to the emergence of the DeFAI ecosystem, offering opportunities for optimization of yield generation, cross-chain intelligence, and liquidity management.
With the Pascal hardfork and upcoming network upgrades, BNB Chain is positioning itself as a leading blockchain platform for DeFi and AI applications. The recent unveiling of an AI roadmap further underscores the project’s commitment to innovation and growth.
Stay tuned for more updates on BNB Chain’s journey towards becoming a powerhouse in the DeFi and AI space.