BNB Chain Maxwell Hardfork Set to Boost Blockchain Speed

The key upgrade reduces block time to 0.75 seconds and enhances validator performance on BNB Chain

BNB Chain is preparing to activate its Maxwell Hardfork on June 30, 2025. The upgrade is expected to reduce block time from 1.5 seconds to 0.75 seconds. With this change, BNB Chain aims to improve transaction speed and validator coordination.

The BNB Chain Maxwell Hardfork follows earlier upgrades in 2025, including the Pascal and Lorentz hardforks. These previous improvements focused on validator optimization and gas efficiency.

What has happened so far

BNB Chain has completed multiple performance upgrades this year.

• The Pascal Hardfork improved support for smart contract wallets.
• The Lorentz Hardfork reduced block time from 3 seconds to 1.5 seconds.
• The Maxwell Hardfork was tested on the testnet in May 2025.

These upgrades focused on increasing throughput and reliability. The upcoming BNB Chain Maxwell Hardfork is expected to build on this foundation.

Key features of the BNB Chain Maxwell Hardfork

The hardfork includes changes to block structure and validator operation.

• Block time reduced from 1.5 to 0.75 seconds.
• Epoch length doubled from 500 to 1,000 blocks.
• Validator proposer turn duration increased.
• Syncing mechanisms improved to reduce failure rates.

These updates aim to deliver smoother transaction processing across the BNB Chain network.

Community reactions and developer expectations

The BNB Chain community has reacted positively. Many developers expect better speed and reduced network congestion. Some raised concerns about validator pressure, but the update includes improvements to syncing that should help balance the load.

Why the Maxwell upgrade matters?

The BNB Chain Maxwell Hardfork could help BNB Chain stay competitive with Layer-1 chains like Solana and Avalanche. By reducing block time and improving validator syncing, the upgrade allows for better scalability and reliability during periods of high network activity.

This could also attract developers looking to build low-fee, fast applications for mainstream users.

What’s next for BNB Chain?

The team has scheduled the mainnet upgrade for June 30 at 02:30 UTC. Node operators must upgrade to v1.5.16 to remain in sync with the network. The community will monitor transaction speed, costs, and reliability after the BNB Chain Maxwell Hardfork goes live.

The results of this upgrade may shape how developers and users evaluate BNB Chain as a long-term platform for dApps.