BNB Chain has unveiled plans for a new high-performance, EVM-compatible layer-1 blockchain, provisionally named NewL1. The project aims to support latency-sensitive applications, specifically high-frequency trading and AI-driven workloads, by matching the speed of centralized exchanges.
Technical specifications updated on October 22, 2026, target a 200 ms block interval and sub-second finality. The network aims for a throughput exceeding 100,000 transactions per second, utilizing an enhanced version of the Parlia consensus mechanism alongside parallel execution.
The platform will feature native account abstraction to improve usability. Founder CZ confirmed that the BNB token will remain the sole asset for gas fees, staking, and governance across both the existing BSC and the upcoming NewL1 network.
Currently, NewL1 operates as an internal multi-validator development network. A public testnet is expected by late 2026, with a full mainnet launch projected for early 2027. The project was first introduced in the H2 2026 technical roadmap published on July 8, 2026.
