This hardfork will reduce block generation time from 1.5 to 0.75 seconds.
Maxwell will also accelerate block synchronization between nodes.
The BNB Smart Chain (BSC) network prepares for a jump with the implementation of the Maxwell hardfork, an update that promises to reduce the generation time of 1.5 to 0.75 seconds.
This change, announced by the BNB Chain equipment, seeks to implement faster transactions, a more fluid user experience and a more robust infrastructure for decentralized applications (DAPPS). Maxwell also promises to improve coordination between validators and the synchronization of nodes in the BNB network.
The Hardfork Maxwell, appointed in honor of physicist James Clerk Maxwell, is based on three technical proposals: Bep-524, Bep-563 and Bep-564.
The first, Bep-524is the core of the update, since it reduces the block of blocks to 0.75 seconds, Duplicating the speed with respect to the previous reduction achieved with the Lorentz hardforkwhich took the times of 3 to 1.5 seconds.
For its part, Bep-563 Improves messaging between validators, optimizing P2P communication (peer-to-peer) to achieve faster and more efficient consensus.
Finally, Bep-564 Enter new types of messages into the BSC/2 protocol, such as Getblocksbyrangemsg and Rangeblocksmsg, that accelerate the synchronization of blocks between nodes, allowing a more agile and reliable network.
When will Maxwell arrive at the BNB network?
The Maxwell hardfork will first be deployed in the test network (Testnet) on May 26, 2025, giving nodes and developers the opportunity to prove the compatibility of their infrastructure.
The transition to the main network (Mainnet) It is scheduled for June 30, 2025provided that the necessary conditions are met, such as the successful adoption by most validators.
To guarantee a transition without problems, nodes must update their software to the most recent version before the testnet date, while developers must audit their DAPPS to adapt them to new block intervals.
What are the benefits of Maxwell hardfork?
According to the BNB team Responsible for this update, Maxwell’s benefits extend to all network participants.
For users, transactions, from exchanges to mining, They will be “practically snapshots”improving experience in decentralized finance applications (DEFI) and other DAPPS.
The developers, meanwhile, will find a low latency environment that opens new possibilities for application designalthough they must adjust logics based on times to adapt to the fastest blocks.
The validators and operators of nodes, meanwhile, will face a slight increase in computational demand, But in return they will get a more efficient and stable network.
Even maximum removable value seekers (MEV) must adapt to a narrower time window to send offers, which could transform some existing strategies.
