A major layer-1 blockchain network just rolled out its Fermi hardfork upgrade, and the performance gains are substantial. Block time has dropped to 0.45 seconds—that's a 40% improvement over the previous configuration. Beyond raw speed, the upgrade delivers stronger finality guarantees and more efficient EVM execution on the base layer.

These aren't just marginal tweaks. The combination of faster block validation, enhanced transaction finality, and optimized smart contract execution creates conditions for exchange-grade DeFi performance to run natively on the main chain. For traders and liquidity providers, this means tighter spreads, lower slippage, and more responsive market operations. The infrastructure is now designed to handle the throughput demands of serious financial applications without compromising security or decentralization.