Cronos has announced the completion of its highly anticipated Pallene upgrade, a significant enhancement to the Cronos EVM v1.4.0. Notably, the upgrade introduces advanced scalability solutions, delivering up to 600 times faster transaction execution and positioning the network for the demands of next-generation blockchain applications.
At the core of the Pallene upgrade is Block-STM technology, which enables parallel processing of transactions within individual blocks. Accordingly, this innovation boosts the network’s transaction throughput to an unprecedented 60,000 transactions per second (TPS). Such performance enhancements are designed to support the increasing activity expected from decentralized finance (DeFi), web3 gaming, and AI-powered applications.
“The Pallene upgrade is a defining milestone for Cronos EVM,” said Ken Timsit, Managing Director of Cronos. “The blockchain’s virtual machine can now execute up to 60,000 transactions per second in parallel. The next step is to remove any remaining bottlenecks at the networking layer, making Cronos EVM future-proof to support the rapid evolution of AI agents and other emerging use cases.”
Key Features of the Pallene Upgrade:
Block-STM Technology: Enables parallel transaction execution, significantly improving throughput and scalability.Optimistic Execution via Cosmos SDK 0.50: Streamlines block processing, improving responsiveness.Enhanced Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC): Strengthens cross-chain interactions, allowing seamless connections between Cronos and other blockchain ecosystems.
The enhancements align with Cronos’ broader roadmap, which emphasizes the integration of AI agents as a transformative force in web3. These AI agents are anticipated to automate complex tasks such as portfolio management and decentralized application (dapp) interactions, driving mainstream adoption of blockchain technology.
Addressing Industry Trends
Scalability has emerged as a critical focus for Layer 1 blockchain networks, which are adapting to surging transaction volumes and advanced application requirements. With the Pallene upgrade, Cronos has taken a leadership role in addressing these challenges, ensuring its network is well-equipped to handle high-demand use cases.
The improvements are also poised to play a vital role in advancing web3 gaming and DeFi, areas where Cronos has established a strong foothold. By integrating cutting-edge scalability solutions, the network positions itself as a preferred platform for developers and enterprises exploring blockchain and AI synergies.
About Cronos
Cronos is a top-tier blockchain ecosystem that collaborates with Crypto.com and over 500 application developers. Serving an addressable user base exceeding 100 million, Cronos focuses on decentralized finance and gaming, emphasising enabling AI agents as a user-friendly interface.
With $6 billion in user assets and over 150 million settled transactions, Cronos operates three interconnected chains:
Cronos zkEVM: A high-performance Layer 2 network secured by Ethereum.Cronos EVM: An Ethereum-compatible blockchain leveraging the Cosmos SDK.Cronos POS: A Cosmos-based chain catering to payments and NFTs.
Transaction fees are settled in $CRO, Cronos’ native cryptocurrency.
As blockchain networks evolve, scalability will remain a cornerstone of Cronos’ strategy. With the Pallene upgrade, Cronos not only addresses current demands but also lays a foundation for future growth in AI and blockchain innovations.
