The BNB Chain Pascal hard fork, scheduled for February 25, 2025 (testnet) and mid-March 2025 (mainnet), is set to bring significant improvements to the BNB Smart Chain (BSC) ecosystem. Designed to enhance Ethereum compatibility, this upgrade incorporates key Ethereum Execution Layer EIPs, particularly those introduced in Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade.

A standout feature of the Pascal hard fork is the implementation of Ethereum’s EIP-7702, enabling native smart contract wallets and advancing account abstraction. This innovation allows wallets to function as smart contracts, eliminating reliance on Externally Owned Accounts (EOAs) and offering greater security, flexibility, and usability.

What’s New in the BNB Chain Pascal Hardfork?

The Pascal hardfork will introduce several enhancements aimed at improving BNB Chain’s security, efficiency, and interoperability:

  • Ethereum Compatibility – Incorporates Ethereum Execution Layer EIPs, aligning BSC with Ethereum’s latest technological advancements.

  • Smart Contract Wallets (EIP-7702) – Enables account abstraction, allowing wallets to be managed via smart contracts instead of private keys.

  • Block Header Updates (BEP-466 & EIP-7685) – Introduces a new RequestsHash field to improve block header formatting and network integrity.

  • Improved Cross-Chain Interactions – Enhances interoperability between BNB Chain and other blockchain networks.

  • Optimized Blob Storage – Unlike Ethereum’s upgrade, BSC will maintain a blob target of 3 and a maximum of 6, preserving gas efficiency and avoiding significant cost increases.

What Users Need to Know

For BNB Chain users, no direct action is required. Tokens, dApps, and wallet services will continue operating smoothly, with wallet providers like MetaMask and Trust Wallet handling necessary updates.

However, users who engage with gas-sensitive dApps should monitor any developer updates, as gas fee fluctuations may occur due to the network upgrade.

Important Considerations for Developers

Developers on BNB Chain must prepare for several structural changes:

  • New Block Header Field (RequestsHash) – The Pascal hardfork modifies BSC’s block header, adding the RequestsHash field in line with BEP-466 and Ethereum’s EIP-7685. Developers must update their block encoding/decoding logic to avoid compatibility issues.

  • EIP-7702 Integration – Developers should explore new smart contract-based account abstraction features, such as:

    • Multi-Sig Wallets

    • Account Recovery Mechanisms

    • Spending Limits

    • Batch Transactions

    • Session Keys for Secure Access

What’s Next for BNB Chain?

The BNB Chain Pascal hardfork marks a significant step toward Ethereum compatibility while enhancing network security and efficiency. By integrating smart contract wallets, cryptographic upgrades, and improved data handling, BNB Chain strengthens its position as a leading blockchain network.

The testnet deployment is scheduled for February 25, 2025, followed by mainnet activation in mid-March 2025. Developers and validators must prepare for these changes, while regular users can continue using the BNB Chain without any required actions.

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