BSC Kepler Hardfork Will Be Launched On Mainnet On January 23

Key Points:

• Binance Smart Chain (BSC) announces the BSC Kepler hardfork on January 23, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. UTC.
• A noticeable shift from block height to Unix time for more precise network upgrades.
• Kepler brings Fast Finality optimizations and Ethereum compatibility, enhancing BSC’s decentralized capabilities.

Binance Smart Chain (BSC) is set to undergo a significant transformation with the announcement of the BSC Kepler hardfork, scheduled to launch on the mainnet at 8:00 a.m. UTC on January 23, 2024.

BSC Kepler Hardfork Unveils Major Upgrades

One noteworthy change accompanying the BSC Kepler hardfork is the transition from block height-based adjustments to Unix time, providing a more precise measure of time for the network’s upgrades. To facilitate this transition smoothly, all validators and node operators on BNB Smart Chain are required to upgrade their BSC Geth clients to the latest versions before the specified block height.

The Kepler upgrade positions itself as the Shanghai upgrade of Binance, aligning the DeFi chain with recent changes observed on Ethereum. Mirroring the updates seen in Ethereum’s Shanghai hardfork, the Kepler upgrade introduces improvements such as staking withdrawal to the BSC ecosystem.

Key enhancements specific to BSC include optimizations to the Fast Finality feature through BEP-319, aiming to incentivize validators efficiently and ensure quicker, more reliable transaction confirmations.

Governed by community voting, these adjustments underscore BSC’s commitment to maintaining network efficiency and trustworthiness. Additionally, the BSC Kepler hardfork emphasizes Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility, integrating crucial upgrades from Ethereum’s EIPs.

Marking a transformative milestone, the BSC Kepler hardfork heralds a new era of enhanced functionalities and expanded compatibility with Ethereum’s ecosystem. With pivotal upgrades under BEP-319 and significant improvements via BEP-216, BEP-217, BEP-311, and BEP-312, BSC propels itself toward a more efficient, secure, and versatile decentralized landscape.