Emre Yumlu 
BNB Smart Chain has successfully implemented its Maxwell hard fork, aiming to enhance scalability and overall network performance. With the upgrade now live, the chain’s average block time has dropped from 1.5 seconds to just 0.8 seconds.
Activated on June 30, the Maxwell upgrade is more than just a technical update. It promises faster transaction confirmations, reduced latency for DApps, improved validator synchronization, and a noticeable boost in network responsiveness.
According to BNB Chain developers, “This is not just another upgrade — it’s a major step forward in improving speed, coordination, and user experience across the network.”
Key Proposals Behind the Upgrade: BEP-524, BEP-563, and BEP-564
The Maxwell fork introduces three major proposals to strengthen network efficiency:
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BEP-524 continues the momentum from April’s Lorentz upgrade, which had already halved block times. The new goal pushes it further to 0.75 seconds per block.
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BEP-563 optimizes peer-to-peer messaging among validators, improving block proposal communication and minimizing missed votes or synchronization delays.
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BEP-564 brings two new protocol-level messages:
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GetBlocksByRangeMsg: Enables batch requests for recent blocks.
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RangeBlocksMsg: Delivers the requested blocks in a single response.
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These improvements are expected to significantly enhance network sync speeds and data flow.
Developers and Validators: Time to Adapt
Developers are advised to test their DApps under tighter block intervals and update any time-sensitive logic accordingly. “If something breaks, chances are it’s your code — not the chain,” the team noted.
Validators must benchmark their systems for higher message throughput and prepare for faster consensus cycles tied to the reduced block time.
BNB Price Reacts Positively
BNB’s price saw a 6.5% increase leading up to the upgrade, reflecting strong market confidence. As of the latest data, the token is trading at $653.70, up 1.2% in the past 24 hours. Still, it’s roughly 17% below its all-time high of $788, set in December 2021.
With the Maxwell upgrade now complete, BNB Smart Chain positions itself for a more scalable, responsive, and developer-friendly future.
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