Binance News: BNB Chain Prepares for Pascal Hardfork and Nasdaq Eyes 24-Hour Trading

In the world of cryptocurrency and finance, two significant developments are catching the attention of investors and traders. Firstly, BNB Chain is gearing up for its Pascal hardfork upgrade, which promises enhanced EVM compatibility and developer flexibility. Secondly, Nasdaq has announced plans to extend its trading hours to 24/7 by 2026, marking a significant shift in the traditional financial market.

BNB Chain Sets March 20 for Pascal Hardfork on Mainnet

BNB Chain will deploy its Pascal hardfork upgrade on March 20, 2025. The upgrade aims to enhance EVM compatibility and developer flexibility. The testnet release occurred in February 2025, with the mainnet activation following after. Pascal introduces Ethereum Virtual Machine compatibility via EIP-7702.

Nasdaq Plans 24-Hour Trading by 2026

Nasdaq has announced plans to extend its trading hours across all five business days to run throughout 24 hours, starting in the second half of 2026. The move aims to capitalize on the growing global demand for U.S. equities and Nasdaq-linked ETFs, highlighted by over $17 trillion in foreign holdings of U.S. stocks. The decision, which requires regulatory approval, reflects the increasing need for more accessible trading options across time zones, enhancing liquidity and market access for global investors.