Notably, the update reduces BSC block time to 1.5s and introduces 8-block validator sequences for faster confirmations. It also adds MEV builder support to boost efficiency and ecosystem incentives.
Key Takeaways
- BNB Chain has successfully completed a hard fork upgrade for both BSC and opBNB, reducing block times to 1.5 seconds for BSC and 0.5 seconds for opBNB.
- Lorentz hard fork reduces block time, helping BNB Chain process transactions more quickly and efficiently.
- Lorentz sets the stage for real-time, AI-powered apps and leads into the Maxwell upgrade.
- Enhanced speed and infrastructure boost the appeal of holding and building on BNB Chain.
In the fast-moving world of crypto, speed and constant innovation are no longer optional but essential. The BNB Chain Lorentz update delivers exactly that.
More than just a technical update, Lorentz is a strategic leap forward, designed to boost performance, reduce block times, and prepare the network for a new wave of AI-powered decentralized services.
CCN spoke directly with the BNB Chain spokesperson to examine the goals, trade-offs, and roadmap behind this upgrade. From validator improvements to scalability gains, Lorentz sets the stage for the upcoming Maxwell hard fork and a faster, smarter BNB Chain.
This article explores how the Lorentz hard fork works, the main changes, and what it means for developers, users, and BNB token holders in 2025.
What Is the BNB Chain Lorentz Hard Fork?
The Lorentz hard fork is the latest protocol upgrade for BNB Chain (formerly Binance Smart Chain), which went live on April 29, 2025.
A spokesperson for BNB Chain told CCN that “it does not introduce fundamental changes to BSC’s core security model. It focuses primarily on performance (block speed).”
That means the upgrade mainly targets faster block creation, helping the network confirm transactions more quickly. It does not change the way the network keeps transactions secure. However, the developers did raise a warning.
They said, “shorter block times make the network potentially more sensitive to network latency,” which means delays in how quickly nodes talk to each other could affect how the network agrees on new blocks.
In simple terms, speeding up the network is good for users and means the system has less time to sync between different nodes.
So, if one part of the network lags, it could create confusion or errors in tracking transactions.
That is why the BNB Chain spokesperson emphasized that latency optimization and protocol-level tuning constitute a significant focus. In other words, they are fine-tuning how fast the network can run without breaking consensus.
New Features and Upgrades in the Lorentz Hard Fork
One of the main changes in the Lorentz hard fork is its improvement in validator communication. The BNB Chain spokesperson told CCN that Lorentz tackles key bottlenecks in block fetching and validator messaging.
Lorentz hard fork features include:
- Introducing the bsc/2 protocol: This reduces delay by “allowing nodes to request a range of recent blocks in a single round trip,” replacing the older eth/68 method that required multiple steps.
- Enhancing the validator network: “This allows validators to identify and connect directly to each other, facilitating the direct and efficient propagation of crucial consensus messages like blocks and votes within this dedicated validator network.”
These changes allow validators to synchronize quickly, even at sub-second block intervals.
How Lorentz Impacts BNB Chain Users and Developers
From a user and developer perspective, the upgrade is designed to enhance responsiveness and throughput without disrupting smart contract compatibility.
“We will primarily use the following two key metrics to assess the success of the Lorentz hard fork,” the BNB Chain spokesperson told CCN.
- One is the block time reduction to 1.5s
- The other is the network throughput not being negatively impacted.
The Ethereum Virtual Machine EVM compatibility remains unchanged for developers, a key differentiator for BNB Chain.
“BNB Chain will compete on achieved finality speed and, crucially, through its EVM compatibility, which lowers the barrier for developers and projects,” they added.
Security and Scalability Improvements on BNB Chain
Lorentz doesn’t change the main elements of the consensus, but its new architecture improves scalability by using the network more efficiently. Validator upgrades reduce latency, and shorter block times make the chain better prepared for high-frequency use cases.
Still, the BNB Chain spokesperson acknowledged a key trade-off. If latency tuning falls behind, it may “lead to challenges in reaching consensus quickly.” That explains why current and future optimization efforts are crucial to keeping the network stable and secure.
What the Lorentz Upgrade Means for BNB Token Holders
BNB token holders gain from improved network speed and responsiveness, and their long-term value is tied to real-time applications and developer growth.
Key benefits include:
- Better DApp usability: A faster network improves decentralized applications’(dApps) user experience and performance.
- Road to Maxwell: Lorentz is part of a broader roadmap alongside the upcoming Maxwell upgrade, both of which aim to build a foundation for high-performance, AI-powered decentralized services.
- Sub-second block times: With block times nearing 0.75 seconds, BNB Chain is moving toward AI-readiness and enhanced data handling.
- Support for AI-first strategy: As the spokesperson explained, “Moreover, by supporting high-frequency interactions, data processing, and on-chain AI operations, the enhanced speed and lower latency are fundamental to BNB Chain’s ‘AI-First’ strategy and the integration of planned AI tools and features.”
- Real-time capabilities: The BNB Chain spokesperson noted, “these performance gains… directly benefit real-time applications like gaming and decentralized finance (DeFi).”
- Stronger value for BNB: As the network becomes more efficient and developer-friendly, holding BNB becomes more attractive, fueling utility and demand for the token in a faster, AI-ready ecosystem.
The Future of BNB Chain After Lorentz
The BNB Chain Lorentz upgrade 2025 was set to go live on the mainnet in two stages:
- opBNB: April 21 at 03:00 AM UTC
- BSC: April 29 at 05:05 AM UTC
With testnets running smoothly, developers and node operators have been urged to prepare beforehand.
Looking ahead, Lorentz is the foundation for the upcoming Maxwell hard fork, which is expected in June.
The BNB Chain roadmap also opens up more of its development process.
When asked about transparency, the BNB Chain spokesperson confirmed: “The optimization of node execution is all open-sourced, and all changes to the BNB Chain node and consensus are discussed with BEP520.”
This approach invites broader ecosystem input, helping BNB Chain move faster toward its vision of supporting real-time, AI-powered decentralized services.
Conclusion
The Lorentz hard fork marks a strategic leap forward for BNB Chain—reducing block times, boosting validator efficiency, and laying the foundation for real-time, AI-integrated applications.
With its focus on speed, scalability and developer usability, Lorentz positions BNB Chain to thrive in a high-frequency, AI-powered future. As the Maxwell upgrade approaches, seeing where BNB Chain heads next in its roadmap toward smarter, faster decentralized infrastructure is exciting.
FAQs
The Lorentz Hard Fork will be deployed on the BSC mainnet on April 29, 2025, at 05:05 AM UTC. The Lorentz upgrade significantly reduces block times, enhancing the BNB Chain’s throughput. This allows it to process more transactions per second and improves scalability to support a growing user base. Yes, the Maxwell upgrade is scheduled for June 2025 and aims to improve the network’s scalability and performance further.
When is the Lorentz Hard Fork scheduled to be implemented on the mainnet?
How does the Lorentz upgrade impact the scalability of BNB Chain?
Are there any additional upgrades planned following Lorentz?
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