BNB Chain is building a second layer-1 blockchain provisionally called NewL1, designed for latency-sensitive applications including high-frequency trading and AI-driven activity. The network will be EVM-compatible and aims to deliver performance levels typically associated with centralized exchanges.
Updated documentation released October 22, 2026 outlines specific technical targets for the network. The chain aims for a 200 millisecond block interval, producing new blocks five times per second. Pre-confirmations are targeted at approximately 20 milliseconds, providing early transaction confirmation before final settlement. Full transaction finality is targeted at sub-second speeds.
BNB Chain plans to use an enhanced version of Parlia, its existing consensus mechanism, to achieve these performance goals. The network targets throughput exceeding 100,000 transactions per second through a combination of consensus optimization and parallel execution, allowing simultaneous processing of multiple transactions.
Additional planned features include native account abstraction for more programmable wallet behavior, a shielded privacy pool for enhanced transaction privacy, and improved overall transaction capacity.
Development Timeline and Status
NewL1 currently operates as an internal, multi-validator development network as of October 2026. A public testnet launch is anticipated by late 2026, with full mainnet deployment projected for early 2027. BNB Chain first disclosed the project in its H2 2026 technical roadmap published July 8, 2026.
Token Economics and Ecosystem Integration
BNB Chain founder CZ confirmed that BNB will remain the only token for gas fees, staking, and governance across both the existing BSC network and NewL1. The new chain is framed as an addition to the ecosystem rather than a replacement for existing infrastructure.
Market Implications
For traders, faster on-chain settlement could narrow the responsiveness gap between decentralized protocols and centralized exchanges while maintaining self-custody of assets. AI and autonomous agents requiring fast, predictable settlement are identified as a target user base for the network.
