Binance’s blockchain, the BNB Chain, will integrate sidechains into its ecosystem to improve network performance. It’s a scalability solution that will be suitable for several use cases, which we review.
Sidechains arrive on the Binance NBB Chain
The Binance NBB Chain will see the arrival of sidechains on its network to increase its scalability. We still have little information on the technical profile of what they will be, but we know that they will be dedicated to decentralized applications wishing to benefit from a better fluidity.
To make a quick point about 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 named the BNB Chain Application Sidechain (BAS), it will allow the creation of secondary networks for specific applications, while keeping a link with 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 of various gaming, social networking and metaverse applications to accelerate the transition to Web 3.0.
A solution tailored to video games
The BNB Chain Application Sidechain (BAS) device will meet 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.
That’s why a sidechain can be a great 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, then, BAS is in line with the Binance Smart Chain’s partnership with Animoca Brands at the end of 2021, as well as the reorganization of the same blockchain to develop the GameFi sector.
By the way, today at 12:55 p.m. Dubai time, Animoca Brands and BNB Chain teams will be speaking at Binance Blockchain Week to talk about GameFi. This is just speculation, but it may be an opportunity to learn more about the use of these sidechains.
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 decentralization to the network, which is not its strong point.
