BNB Chain details NewL1 EVM layer-1 plans as CZ says BNB stays sole token
In brief
- BNB Chain documentation updated October 22, 2026 describes NewL1, a high-performance EVM-compatible layer-1.
- NewL1 targets 200 ms blocks, roughly 20 ms pre-confirmations and more than 100,000 TPS.
- NewL1 runs as an internal devnet, with a public testnet anticipated by late 2026.
- Full mainnet rollout is projected for early 2027, according to Crypto Briefing.
- BNB will be the only token for gas, staking and governance, CZ affirmed.
What the documentation targets
The documentation was updated on October 22, 2026, and the numbers in it are aggressive (they're targets, not results). BNB Chain is aiming for a 200 ms block interval, which works out to five blocks per second. Pre-confirmations are targeted at roughly 20 ms. Full finality is targeted at sub-second speeds.
Throughput is the headline figure. BNB Chain is targeting more than 100,000 transactions per second, a goal the documentation attributes to consensus optimization combined with parallel execution. The consensus layer itself isn't new: the plan is to run an enhanced version of Parlia, the mechanism BNB Chain's existing chain already relies on.
Two other features are on the list. One is native account abstraction, and the other is a shielded privacy pool meant to give users more transaction privacy.
Where NewL1 stands today
It's not live for the public yet.
NewL1 currently runs as an internal, multi-validator development network, which Crypto Briefing's report describes as operational as of October 2026. A public testnet is anticipated by late 2026, and a full mainnet rollout is projected for early 2027.
The project didn't come out of nowhere. BNB Chain first highlighted NewL1 in its H2 2026 technical roadmap, published July 8, 2026. That roadmap argued on-chain infrastructure needs to compete with centralized exchanges on performance, and it named autonomous agents as a target user base.
BNB stays the only token
BNB Chain is pitching NewL1 as an addition to its ecosystem, not a replacement. The stated goal is to extend existing infrastructure without disrupting the frameworks already in place (BSC included).
That's where CZ's comment comes in. According to Crypto Briefing, he affirmed BNB will be the single asset for gas, staking and governance across both BSC and the new layer-1.
There's a caveat, and the outlet flagged it itself. Crypto Briefing noted that performance targets on an internal devnet don't always hold up on a public network, where adversarial users and unpredictable demand come into play. Until a public testnet ships, the 200 ms and 100,000 TPS figures are documentation targets and nothing more.
Frequently asked questions
What is BNB Chain's NewL1?
NewL1 is the provisional name for a high-performance, EVM-compatible layer-1 network described in updated BNB Chain documentation. It's designed for latency-sensitive work such as high-frequency trading and AI-driven activity, and BNB Chain frames it as an addition to its ecosystem rather than a replacement for BSC.
What performance does NewL1 target?
BNB Chain's documentation targets a 200 ms block interval, pre-confirmations of roughly 20 ms, sub-second finality and throughput above 100,000 transactions per second. These are targets, not achieved results, and the throughput goal is attributed to consensus optimization plus parallel execution.
When will NewL1 launch?
NewL1 isn't live for the public yet and runs as an internal, multi-validator development network. A public testnet is anticipated by late 2026, and a full mainnet rollout is projected for early 2027.
Will NewL1 have its own token?
According to Crypto Briefing, CZ affirmed that BNB will be the single asset for gas, staking and governance across both BSC and the new layer-1.
