The BNB Chain will activate the Fermi Hard Fork on the mainnet at 09:30 (Vietnam time) on January 14, 2026, aiming to shorten Block creation time and improve network performance.
This upgrade focuses on transaction confirmation speed, throughput, and validator coordination, given that stablecoin liquidation on the BNB Chain remains high despite TVL volatility in 2025.
- The BNB Chain fermi Hard Fork will take place at 09:30 on January 14, 2026 (Vietnam time).
- The upgrade aims for shorter Block Time , higher throughput, and optimized execution/consensus.
- The validator and node operator need to upgrade the client before activation to avoid network mismatches.
The Fermi Hard Fork of the BNB Chain will activate at 09:30 on January 14, 2026 (Vietnam time).
BNB Chain has confirmed that the Fermi Hard Fork will deploy on the mainnet at 09:30 on January 14, 2026 (GMT+7), which is 02:30 UTC, and requires node operators to upgrade their software before activation.
According to the development team, this is a major infrastructure upgrade, focusing on improving Block Time, throughput, and overall execution performance. A Hard Fork means a change at the protocol level, so nodes that don't upgrade may lose synchronization with the chain after activation.
Validators and node operators are required to update their clients before the Fork occurs to continue validating Block and keeping up with network status. In upgrades like this, early preparation helps reduce the risk of operational disruption, especially for infrastructure services, exchanges, bridges, and DeFi applications that depend on network stability.
Fermi focuses on reducing Block intervals to speed up transaction confirmation.
Fermi's focus is on achieving shorter Block times, thereby reducing transaction latency and improving confirmation speeds across the BNB Chain.
As Block Time decreases, users often experience faster "finality" and confirmation in on-chain activities that require immediate response. This is especially relevant to DeFi transactions, liquidations, and high-frequency interactions, where latency can directly impact execution prices, slippage, and Capital efficiency.
In addition to shortening the time between Block, Fermi also includes a package of changes to the execution and consensus layers to optimize processing efficiency and validator coordination. Instead of increasing Block size or changing economic parameters, the approach is described as prioritizing "scaling performance" along the lines of optimizing infrastructure.
Detailed information Chia by the BNB Chain development team on X.
Stablecoin liquidation on the BNB Chain remains high despite TVL volatility in 2025.
Data from 2025 shows that the stablecoin market Capital on the BNB Chain remained high at around $12–13 billion towards the end of the year, while TVL fluctuated, suggesting that actual transaction demand remained robust.
The timing of the upgrade is noteworthy because the current on-chain conditions reflect more “transaction flows” than just liquidation accumulation. The stablecoin supply has steadily increased since the beginning of 2025 and remained in the $12–13 billion range towards the end of the year, suggesting that stablecoin transfers may be playing a significant Vai in network usage demand.
Conversely, TVL peaked in mid-year and then cooled down, highlighting the potential shift from " Capital locking" to " Capital utilization". In this context, improving execution speed and transaction completion certainty becomes more relevant to user needs.
Faster Block can help reduce payment delays, improving Capital efficiency as users move stablecoins through dApps, bridges, and payment channels. For time-sensitive DeFi strategies (e.g., arbitrage, loan position management), low latency is often a key factor.
Once activated, the market will monitor network stability and transaction throughput.
Following a Hard Fork, key metrics to monitor include network stability, actual Block Time , and changes in throughput, as well as observing whether DeFi activity and stablecoin transfers increase.
In the immediate aftermath of an upgrade, the focus is typically on stability: whether the network maintains the expected Block creation rate, whether nodes synchronize smoothly, and whether any issues arise that affect transaction confirmation. Simultaneously, market participants will observe changes in transaction volume and user experience.
In the weeks following activation, a practical question is whether faster execution speeds will translate into higher usage levels across DeFi protocols and stablecoin transfer flows. If latency decreases and Capital efficiency improves, real-time operations could benefit most significantly.
With the activation date already set, Fermi is positioned as one of BNB Chain's key infrastructure upgrades toward 2026, highlighting the priority of "speed & execution" in its performance scaling strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the BNB Chain Fermi Hard Fork take place in Vietnam time?
The Fermi Hard Fork will be activated on the mainnet at 09:30 on January 14, 2026 (Vietnam time), which is 02:30 UTC.
What is the most significant change brought about by the Fermi Hard Fork ?
The core change is to move toward shorter Block Time to reduce latency and speed up transaction confirmation, while also adding improvements at the execution and consensus layers to optimize performance and validator coordination.
Who needs to upgrade before the Fermi Hard Fork activates?
Validators and node operators need to upgrade their clients before activation to maintain synchronization with the network after the Hard Fork and avoid being detached from the chain.
Why is the timing of upgrades noteworthy for stablecoins and DeFi?
Since the stablecoin market Capital on the BNB Chain is expected to remain around $12–13 billion by the end of 2025 despite TVL fluctuations, a focused upgrade to accelerate execution could serve the needs of real-world transactions, stablecoin transfers, and time-sensitive DeFi activities.
