Binance’s blockchain, the BNB Chain, will integrate sidechains into its ecosystem to improve network performance. It is a scalability solution that will be suitable for several use cases, which we review.
Sidechains arrive on Binance’s BNB Chain
Binance’s BNB Chain will see the arrival of sidechains on its network to increase scalability. We still have little information on the technical profile of what they will be, but we know that they will be dedicated to decentralised applications wishing to benefit from better fluidity.
To give a quick update on sidechains, they are parallel networks to an original blockchain. They duplicate the latter by modifying its characteristics to adapt it to a particular need, a bit like a car, which would be modified to make a circuit. Polygon (MATIC) for example, is currently a sidechain of Ethereum (ETH).
This new feature will be called the BNB Chain Application Sidechain (BAS), and will allow the creation of secondary networks for specific applications, while maintaining a link to the main chain. As a Binance spokesperson explains:
“The BAS is an infrastructure introduced to help developers and node operators create and manage their own blockchain as an internal value system for a large number of users, while maintaining a close connection to the NBB Chain. “
This scalability solution addresses a need for various gaming applications, social networks and metaverses, to accelerate the transition to Web 3.0.
A solution for video games
The BNB Chain Application Sidechain (BAS) device will find an interesting use case with video game applications (GameFi) in particular. Indeed, a blockchain game consists of many microtransactions, and for it to be viable, the cost of these must be reduced to a strict minimum.
This is why a sidechain can have a significant advantage in this case. Let’s take the example of the Ronin network, which runs alongside Ethereum (ETH), especially for the Axie Infinity game.
Logically, the BAS is therefore in line with the Binance Smart Chain’s partnership with Animoca Brands at the end of 2021, as well as the reorganisation of this same blockchain to develop the GameFi sector.
By the way, today at 12.55pm Dubai time, which is 10.55am Paris time, Animoca Brands and BNB Chain teams will be speaking at Binance Blockchain Week about GameFi. This is just speculation, but it may be an opportunity to learn more about the use of these sidechains :
Day 2 of BinanceBlockchainWeek is packed with BNBChain speakers!
You’ll hear from: @gwendolynregina @ankr @1inch @animocabrands @liberty_guild @CertiKTech @MultichainOrg @VenusProtocol @alvin_kan
..and othersJoin us on Binance Live
*times are in GMT+4 (Dubai) pic.twitter.com/oRDAeed1un– BNB Chain (@BNBCHAIN) March 28, 2022
With sidechains, Binance is showing in its own way that it also wants to be part of the multichain future. With applications running their own sidechain, this could also bring some decentralisation to the network, which is not its strong point.
