- The update includes three BEPs to enhance scalability and synchronization speed.
- Block processing time has nearly halved — from 1.5 to 0.8 seconds.
- Developers and validators are adapting decentralized applications to the new network conditions.
Maxwell Update: A New Phase for BNB Smart Chain
The BNB Smart Chain network has significantly reduced block processing time — from 1.5 to 0.8 seconds — thanks to the activation of the Maxwell hard fork, which took place on June 30, 2025. This update aims to optimize scalability, minimize delays, and improve coordination among validators, allowing users and developers to have an even more efficient experience with the network.
This is reported by Finway
Technical Features and Impact on the Ecosystem
The Maxwell update introduced three key enhancements: BEP-524, BEP-563, and BEP-564. BEP-524 completes a series of measures to reduce block processing time, initiated with the April Lorentz update. BEP-563 introduces optimized block exchange mechanisms among validators, reducing the likelihood of missed votes. BEP-564 adds new message types — GetBlocksByRangeMsg and RangeBlocksMsg — for faster data synchronization within the network.
“The BNB Chain team stated that Maxwell will enable users to conduct transactions more quickly, while developers will be able to create more responsive decentralized applications. The impact on decentralized finance was specifically noted. According to developers, the reduction in delays is expected to improve interactions with DeFi protocols in real-time.”
The update requires developers to adapt their products to the new network parameters — in particular, to review timer settings and logic that were based on the previous 1.5-second interval. It is noted that most difficulties following the hard fork are related to application code rather than the network itself.
The reduction in block processing time has positively impacted decentralized financial services, particularly improving interactions with DeFi protocols in real-time. For users, this means even faster transactions and a better experience on the platform.
Before the activation of Maxwell, the BNB token showed moderate growth — in the week leading up to the update, its price rose by over 6%, and during the hard fork, BNB was trading at around $657. At the same time, this figure is 17% lower than the historical high of $788 recorded in December 2024.
It is worth noting that the Chinese integrated circuit manufacturer Nano Labs recently announced the issuance of convertible bonds worth $500 million aimed at creating a corporate treasury in BNB. This further underscores the interest of major players in the BNB Chain infrastructure.