Cronos has completed a groundbreaking performance upgrade to its EVM mainnet, slashing block times by 10x and entering the sub-second era. This enhancement dramatically boosts network responsiveness, paving the way for high-performance decentralized applications (dApps) in DeFi, AI, and payments.
👉 Discover how Cronos is redefining blockchain speed
Key Highlights of the Upgrade
- Sub-second block intervals: Reduced from ~5.6 seconds to under 1 second.
- Parallel transaction processing: Enabled by BlockSTM, introduced in the Pallene upgrade.
- Instant finality: Positions Cronos among the top 10 fastest blockchains globally.
Technical Advancements
The upgrade leverages BlockSTM, a parallel execution engine that processes multiple transactions simultaneously per block. Combined with optimized block production frequency, this ensures:
- Higher transaction throughput (TPS).
- Near-instant DeFi, AI, and payment interactions.
- Improved developer experience for high-frequency dApps.
Mirko Zhao, Cronos Labs Lead, noted:
"Sub-second performance unlocks a new class of ultra-fast blockchain applications, reflecting our commitment to scalability and developer UX."
Broader Ecosystem Impact
Cronos continues to prioritize affordability and real-world adoption:
- 10x base gas fee reduction (June 2025).
- Crypto.com partnership: First blockchain enabling crypto-to-prepaid-card funding.
- Auto-Harvest: Automates DeFi rewards conversion for seamless fiat top-ups.
Cronos Ecosystem Overview
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chains | Cronos EVM, POS, zkEVM (L2) |
| TVL | $6B+ |
| Transactions | 100M+ (since inception) |
| Native Token | $CRO (fee payments) |
FAQs
Q: How does sub-second block time benefit users?
A: Faster finality enables real-time trading, AI agent interactions, and instant payments.
Q: What makes BlockSTM innovative?
A: It processes transactions in parallel, maximizing throughput without compromising security.
Q: Is Cronos compatible with Ethereum?
A: Yes, Cronos EVM is fully Ethereum-compatible, simplifying dApp migration.
Cronos remains a top 15 blockchain ecosystem, supported by Cronos Labs (a Web3 accelerator). For updates, follow @cronos_chain.
Contact: Avishay Litani ([email protected])