BNB Chain is gearing up for a major upgrade with its Pascal hardfork, set to go live on the mainnet on March 20, 2025, according to an announcement on March 6, 2025.
This upgrade, following a successful testnet rollout in February 2025, promises to boost Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility and developer flexibility, marking a significant step forward for the Binance-backed blockchain. Initially targeting a mid-March launch, the BNB Chain team has locked in March 20 as the official date, aiming to enhance user experience and drive web3 adoption.
The Pascal hardfork introduces EVM compatibility through Ethereum’s EIP-7702 improvement proposal, allowing externally owned accounts to execute smart contract code. This means wallets can function as smart contracts, enabling gasless transactions, batch approvals, and swaps—features Ethereum is also eyeing with its upcoming Pectra upgrade. By sponsoring gas fees, decentralized applications (dApps) on BNB Chain can offer smoother onboarding for users, making it easier for newcomers to dive into web3. This upgrade positions BNB Chain as a competitive player in the blockchain space, focusing on improved efficiency and accessibility.
Future Milestones: Lorentz and Maxwell Hardforks for Faster Transactions
BNB Chain’s focus on AI and DeFi aligns with its recently unveiled AI roadmap, highlighting the growing intersection of these technologies. The rise of DeFAI—an ecosystem combining DeFi and AI—offers opportunities like optimized yield generation, cross-chain intelligence, and improved liquidity management. This synergy positions BNB Chain as a leader in the evolving blockchain landscape, appealing to developers and investors alike. For crypto enthusiasts, these upgrades could signal new opportunities in dApps and AI-driven projects, but they’ll need to watch how the network performs post-Pascal.
What This Means for BNB Chain and Web3 Investors