BNB Chain has successfully tested the Pascal hardfork on its testnet. The upgrade will go live on the mainnet on March 20 at 02:10 AM UTC, marking it as one of the first blockchain networks to adopt the EIP-7702 standard.
EIP-7702: Features and Technical Impact
EIP-7702 is a technical standard that allows wallets to function more like smart contracts. This means users can do more with their wallets without needing to understand complex blockchain operations, while also providing significant technical improvements to the BNB Chain network.
With the Pascal upgrade, users can make transactions without directly paying for gas fees. This means new users can start using blockchain applications without first buying cryptocurrency. Instead, gas fees can be paid from another account, using tokens other than BNB, or handled by an application on behalf of the user.
The new standard allows wallets to act like smart contracts, giving users more control and flexibility over their accounts. Smart contract wallets can implement advanced security features such as multi-signature requirements, time-locked transactions, spending limits, and account recovery if keys are lost.
Required Updates Before March 20
All parties running BNB Chain nodes must update their software before the hardfork. This involves installing the latest software version to ensure compatibility with the new chain features.
Required updates:
For BSC node operators and validators: * Update to version 1.5.7
For opBNB operators: * Update to version 0.5.2 or 0.5.6
For exchanges and infrastructure providers: * Test systems with the new version * Ensure all operations remain compatible
Developers should test applications with new transaction types and update code if needed.
BNB Chain Development Roadmap
The Pascal hardfork is part of a larger development plan for BNB Chain. After this upgrade, two more significant updates are scheduled.
Lorentz Hardfork (April 2025): * Reduces block times to 1.5 seconds, improving transaction processing speed.
Maxwell Hardfork (June 2025): * Continues to enhance network performance by reducing block times to 0.75 seconds.
The Pascal hardfork represents a significant technical advancement for BNB Chain. By implementing EIP-7702, the network takes concrete steps to improve user experience, enhance security, and expand blockchain wallet capabilities. The upgrade goes live on March 20, 2025, and all node operators, validators, exchanges, and developers must update their software by this date to maintain network compatibility.
