The planned EVM-compatible chain would run alongside BSC without issuing a separate token, according to reports citing CZ.
BNB Chain is preparing to launch a new layer-1 blockchain designed to run alongside its existing BNB Smart Chain, according to reports published this week. The new network is described as EVM-compatible and built for higher performance than current infrastructure.
Unlike many layer-1 launches in recent years, the project reportedly will not come with its own native token. Instead, BNB is expected to remain the sole asset across both chains. Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao, widely known as CZ, has publicly reacted to the plan and voiced support for keeping BNB as the unified token.
The move would mark a departure from the typical pattern seen in blockchain expansion, where new networks often launch alongside fresh tokens to fund development and incentivize early adoption. Avoiding a new token could simplify the ecosystem for developers and users already holding or building on BNB Smart Chain.
Details on the technical architecture of the proposed layer-1 remain limited based on current reporting. It is described as high-performance, suggesting an emphasis on throughput and transaction speed, areas where competing chains have invested heavily in recent years. EVM compatibility would allow existing Ethereum-based tooling, wallets, and smart contracts to operate on the new network with minimal modification.
Running a second layer-1 in parallel to BSC raises questions about how resources, validators, and liquidity would be distributed between the two networks. BNB Smart Chain has operated for several years as one of the most widely used chains by transaction volume. Introducing a second, higher-performance chain under the same ecosystem could be aimed at addressing scalability limitations without disrupting the existing BSC user base.
CZ's public endorsement of a single-token structure suggests an intentional effort to avoid fragmenting BNB's value proposition. Multi-token ecosystems can create confusion among users and sometimes dilute the economic weight of an original asset. By contrast, reinforcing BNB as the only token across both chains could consolidate demand and simplify the narrative around the broader BNB Chain project.
The announcement comes amid continued competition among layer-1 and layer-2 networks to offer faster, cheaper, and more developer-friendly infrastructure. Projects across the industry have pursued parallel chains, rollups, and modular architectures to scale without compromising decentralization or security. BNB Chain's approach, as currently described, appears to prioritize continuity of its token economy over the token-launch model common elsewhere in the sector.
Further technical specifications, a timeline for mainnet deployment, and details on how validators or developers would migrate between the two chains have not yet been disclosed in the reporting reviewed. Observers will likely look for additional documentation or a formal roadmap from BNB Chain in the coming weeks.
Market Impact
Keeping BNB as the sole token across two layer-1 networks could reduce uncertainty for holders who might otherwise anticipate a new token distribution or airdrop. This approach may be viewed as a vote of confidence in BNB's existing utility rather than a signal that a new asset is needed to support the expanded ecosystem.
For developers, a parallel EVM-compatible chain could offer an additional venue for deployment without requiring a shift away from BNB-denominated fees or incentives. The broader effect on BSC's existing user base, validator economics, and liquidity distribution will likely depend on technical details that have not yet been made public.
BNB Chain's plan for a second, high-performance layer-1 marks a notable step in its ongoing expansion, with CZ's backing of a single-token model setting it apart from typical multi-chain token launches. Additional technical and timeline details are expected as the project moves forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the new BNB Chain layer-1 have its own token?
No. Reports indicate the new network will not introduce a separate token, with BNB remaining the sole asset across both chains.
How will the new layer-1 relate to BNB Smart Chain?
The new network is described as running parallel to BNB Smart Chain, rather than replacing it, according to current reporting.
Is the new layer-1 compatible with Ethereum tooling?
Yes. The network is reported to be EVM-compatible, allowing existing Ethereum-based smart contracts and tools to operate on it.
Has a launch date been announced for the new layer-1?
No specific timeline or mainnet launch date has been disclosed in the reporting reviewed so far.
