BNB Chain is developing a new high-performance Layer 1 blockchain designed to support applications that require faster transaction processing, including high-frequency trading, real-time payments and AI-driven activity.
The proposed network, currently called New L1 in its technical documentation, will operate alongside BNB Smart Chain (BSC) rather than replace it. BNB Chain plans to use BNB for transaction fees, staking and governance across the ecosystem, avoiding the introduction of a separate native token for the new network.
Changpeng Zhao, popularly known as CZ, Binance’s co-founder, responded to the plan with the phrase, “Multiple chains, one coins.”
The development adds to BNB Chain’s efforts to improve transaction speed and expand its infrastructure for applications that require more predictable execution. According to its technical documentation, the new network is running on an internal multi-validator development network, with a public testnet targeted for late 2026 and mainnet planned for early 2027.
BNB Chain targets 200-millisecond blocks
New L1 is designed around lower transaction latency and faster confirmation times.
BNB Chain is targeting block intervals of 200 milliseconds, meaning the network aims to produce five blocks every second. It is also targeting transaction pre-confirmations in approximately 20 milliseconds and finality in under one second.
Pre-confirmation is an early signal that a transaction is likely to be included in a block. It is not the same as finality, which indicates that the transaction has reached the network’s defined point of irreversible confirmation.
The distinction matters, particularly for trading applications and automated systems that may need to react to transactions almost immediately. Developers and users should not treat a pre-confirmation as proof that a transaction is final.
BNB Chain’s documentation describes New L1 as a high-performance, Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible blockchain. The design aims to support existing Solidity contracts and familiar transaction flows, although some infrastructure and developer tools may need adjustments because the network has technical differences from BSC.
The proposed architecture also includes parallel execution, improvements to transaction ordering and a revised approach to managing network resources. BNB Chain is targeting throughput above 100,000 transactions per second, although this remains a design goal rather than a demonstrated public-network result.
Why BNB Chain wants another Layer 1
BNB Smart Chain already supports decentralised finance, gaming, token trading and other blockchain applications. However, applications with demanding latency requirements can benefit from infrastructure designed specifically for rapid transaction processing.
High-frequency trading is one example. In these environments, even small delays can affect how an application responds to changing market conditions.
AI agents that interact with blockchain applications could also benefit from predictable transaction processing. These systems may need to read market information, execute strategies and submit transactions automatically.
Real-time payments are another potential use case, particularly where applications need quick transaction acknowledgements and low waiting times.
Rather than requiring every application to operate under the same infrastructure priorities, a separate network could provide features designed for these workloads while BSC continues serving its existing applications.
The new network is therefore intended to expand the BNB Chain ecosystem, not replace BNB Smart Chain.
BNB remains central to the ecosystem
One of the most notable parts of the plan is the decision to retain BNB as the native token rather than introduce another cryptocurrency.
BNB is expected to pay transaction fees on New L1, support staking and participate in governance. The planned network will connect with BNB Smart Chain through a native bridge, allowing BNB to move between the networks.
This approach could simplify the experience for users and developers who already operate within the BNB ecosystem. They would not need to adopt an entirely separate native token simply to use the additional network.
However, operating multiple chains still introduces practical considerations. Assets and applications may exist on different networks, and users will need to understand where their funds are held and how cross-chain transfers work.
The bridge will therefore be an important part of the network’s eventual deployment. Its security, reliability and ability to handle cross-chain activity will matter alongside the speed of the underlying blockchain.
Keeping BNB as the common token may also extend its utility across more types of applications. However, the launch alone does not establish that demand for BNB will increase; that will depend on actual adoption, transaction activity and how the network is used.
Native account abstraction and onchain privacy
Beyond transaction speed, New L1 is expected to introduce features designed to improve usability and transaction privacy.
One is native account abstraction. In simple terms, account abstraction allows blockchain accounts to support more flexible ways of authorising and executing transactions.
BNB Chain’s design includes features such as batched transactions, passkey signing, delegated keys and sponsored gas payments. These capabilities could help developers build applications where users do not need to manage every transaction through the traditional wallet experience.
For example, an application could allow a user to approve several related actions together or let a service sponsor transaction fees under defined conditions.
The network also includes a shielded privacy pool designed to support private transfers using zero-knowledge proofs. Such systems can help protect transaction details while allowing the network to verify that transactions meet its protocol rules.
However, privacy features require careful implementation and review. BNB Chain’s current documentation warns that the shielded pool’s circuits have not yet been audited and that additional security work remains before it should be used with real funds.
The presence of these features in the design should therefore not be interpreted as evidence that they are already production-ready.
Public testnet targeted for late 2026
New L1 remains under active development. BNB Chain’s documentation says the network is currently running on an internal multi-validator devnet and is subject to changes.
The project is targeting a public testnet by the end of 2026, followed by a mainnet launch in early 2027.
These milestones will be important for evaluating whether the network can deliver its intended performance outside an internal development environment. Developers will also need to assess compatibility, bridge security, tooling and the reliability of its new account and privacy features.
For now, the proposed network represents another step in BNB Chain’s attempt to build infrastructure for applications that require faster and more predictable transaction processing.
Its success will depend not only on meeting performance targets but also on attracting developers, supporting secure applications and establishing practical reasons for users to choose the network.
The strategy is clear: add a specialised blockchain without fragmenting the ecosystem around another native token.
Whether that approach can deliver the intended performance and adoption will become clearer as New L1 moves towards public testing and, eventually, mainnet.
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