$BNB Chain is gearing up for another significant upgrade, with a focus on enhancing network stability under high user demand. The Osaka/Mendel hard fork is set to take place on April 28, 2026, at 02:30 UTC, and $BNB Chain’s release notes highlight the mandatory nature of the mainnet upgrade for BSC users, requiring v1.7.2 as the essential release before the fork. This upgrade includes nine BEPs and introduces changes such as a protocol-level transaction gas cap under BEP-652, as well as fixes related to blobs and execution in the mainnet release.
The timing of this upgrade is crucial as $BNB Chain has been focused on increasing speed over the past year. Previous hard forks like Lorentz, Maxwell, and Fermi have significantly reduced block times, making the network one of the fastest EVM networks. However, with speed enhancements, the importance of stability, gas consistency, and execution quality also becomes paramount.
The Osaka/Mendel upgrade represents a shift towards optimizing network behavior under stress rather than just speeding up block production. By implementing a protocol-level gas cap and introducing Ethereum-aligned execution changes, $BNB Chain aims to ensure predictability and consistency in its operations, especially during high network activity.
Enhancing Network Performance
The introduction of a protocol-level gas cap through BEP-652 in the Mendel upgrade helps maintain stability during network congestion by setting limits on heavy transactions. Additionally, Ethereum-aligned execution changes in the Osaka side of the upgrade improve precision in execution rules and enhance compatibility with cryptographic standards beyond Ethereum’s default stack.
These changes are essential for developers working across different ecosystems, as they streamline execution rules, improve computation efficiency, and enhance security measures for onchain and offchain interactions.
The focus on blob-related behavior and fast finality in the Mendel upgrade underscores $BNB Chain’s commitment to quick, reliable confirmations even as network usage grows. The upgrade aims to maintain speed while ensuring robust performance under varying conditions.
Overall, the Osaka/Mendel upgrade signals a shift towards network maturity and discipline, emphasizing the importance of sustained speed and stability. By prioritizing operational efficiency and reliability, $BNB Chain is poised to meet the demands of real-world usage without compromising on performance.