The BNB Chain is preparing for a significant upgrade with the Pascal Hard Fork, designed to enhance Ethereum compatibility and improve network performance. This upgrade promises faster, more secure transactions and introduces advanced features for both users and developers.
The Pascal Hard Fork aims to align the BNB Chain more closely with Ethereum by integrating features from Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade. The upgrade is focused on technical improvements to enhance network efficiency and security and will not result in a new coin.
- Testnet Launch: The testnet deployment is scheduled for February 25, 2025, with BSC at 03:08 AM UTC and opBNB at 06:00 AM UTC.
- Mainnet Deployment: The mainnet deployment is expected in mid-March 2025, pending successful testnet performance.
Key Features and Enhancements
The Pascal Hard Fork introduces several pivotal features:
- Native Smart Contract Wallets: These wallets, based on EIP-7702, enable simpler account recovery options, multi-signature support, spending limits, and batch transactions for better user control and efficiency. This aligns with Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade, enhancing cross-chain interoperability.
- Improved Security and Cryptography: The integration of BEP-439 introduces support for the BLS12-381 curve, facilitating faster and more efficient transaction verification by consolidating multiple digital signatures, reducing computational overhead.
These enhancements are expected to make the BNB Chain more competitive, attracting more users and developers.
Implications for Users and Developers
- Regular Users: No action is required, as the upgrade will happen automatically. However, users should expect temporary service disruptions and monitor DApps for potential gas cost changes post-upgrade.
- Developers: Must ensure app compatibility, especially with block header changes, and test on the updated testnet before mainnet deployment.
- Node Operators/Validators: Required to upgrade to specified versions to avoid network disruptions.
Future Upgrades
Following the Pascal Hard Fork, two more hard forks are planned:
- Lorentz (April 2025): Will reduce block intervals to 1.5 seconds.
- Maxwell (June 2025): Will further decrease block intervals to 0.75 seconds, significantly enhancing transaction speeds.
These upgrades are part of BNB Chain’s vision to become an AI-first blockchain ecosystem.
The Pascal Hard Fork represents a strategic move by BNB Chain to enhance Ethereum compatibility, improve security, and foster developer innovation. With a clear timeline and detailed preparation guidelines, it positions BNB Chain as a competitive player in the blockchain space, with future upgrades promising even faster transaction processing.
