BNB Chain developers officially released the much-awaited Fermi Hardfork today, November 3.
The crucial update aims to make the network more responsive and faster.
Notably, it slashes block times from 750 milliseconds to 450 milliseconds, translating to a 40% enhancement in transaction speed.
With version 1.6.2 live, the network will process and confirm transactions much faster.
That promises users a more efficient and streamlined experience when interacting with exchanges, wallets, and decentralized applications (dApps) within the BNB Smart Chain ecosystem.
Fermi Hardfork comes less than a month after the chain adopted an ultra-low gas fee model.
According to today’s official X post:
This upgrade reduces the block interval from 750ms to 450ms, significantly improving transaction efficiency, network throughput, and overall performance. The shorter block time enables faster processing and a smoother user experience.
The Fermi Hardfork release is now available for the BSC network. This upgrade reduces the block interval from 750ms to 450ms, significantly improving transaction efficiency, network throughput, and overall performance. The shorter block time enables faster processing and a
5:30 pm · 3 Nov 2025
The Fermi upgrade is part of BNB Chain’s effort to refine its infrastructure for smooth real-time transaction processing.
Key dates for the upgrade
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The announcement revealed that the Fermi Hardfork testnet activation will happen on November 10, with the mainnet rollout TBD (to be decided).
Nonetheless, the entire upgrade will follow a stress test to gauge network performance during intense activity.
That approach guarantees reliability and stability after Fermi’s deployment on the BSC mainnet. Meanwhile, the team has invited enthusiasts to partake in testing and validation.
What else is in v1.6.2
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Besides the primary Fermi functionalities, BNB Chain’s latest rollout introduces various vital improvements that strengthen the BNB Smart Chain network.
First and foremost, the v1.6.2 release includes optimisation for MEV (Maximal Extractable Value) and miners to improve performance and guarantee transparent transactions.
Also, the update enhances the chain’s general performance by refining block propagation, reducing latency, and improving throughput.
Such modifications contribute to an efficient and more balanced blockchain.
That’s essential in sustaining the increasing transaction volumes, as cryptocurrencies see mainstream acceptance, without compromising user experience.
Why does Fermi upgrade matter?
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By reducing block times from 750ms to 450ms, the Fermi Hardfork makes BNB Chain one of the most efficient and fastest networks in the blockchain world.
With its speed, scalability, and stability, developers can build innovative solutions while offering users almost-instant transaction settlements.
The BNB Community will watch as the Fermi Hardfork progresses to testing.
The promised changes aim to transform how quickly users trade assets, deploy smart contracts, or interact with decentralised applications on the BNB Smart Chain.
The mainnet will occur after the stress test and feedback evaluation, marking a new phase for BNB Chain’s evolution.
In other related updates, native BNB is trading at $1,020 after shedding over 5% of its value in the past 24 hours as bears triggered another broader market dip.