BNB Smart Chain is set to execute the Fermi hard fork on January 14, 2026, at 02:30 AM UTC. This significant update will reduce block time from 750ms to 250ms, enhancing the performance of DeFi and time-sensitive applications. Validators are required to upgrade to version 1.6.4 or 1.6.5, with the latter recommended for optimal performance. The Fermi hard fork introduces a new indexing method to decrease node resource requirements and eliminates the handshake mechanism to improve network stability. These changes aim to bolster the efficiency and reliability of the BNB Smart Chain network.