The Berachain community is rolling out a proposal to slash transaction inclusion times from two seconds to roughly 200 milliseconds, joining a broader wave of blockchain networks aiming to deliver near-instant transaction feedback.
The proposal, titled "BRIP-0007: Berachain Preconfirmations," outlines the implementation of an optional "fast lane" for users who desire speed without compromising the chain’s core security guarantees.
This introduces a mechanism that allows transactions to appear confirmed in under a second, making decentralized finance (DeFi) swaps, onchain gaming interactions, and other latency-sensitive applications feel as responsive as traditional Web2 apps.
The proposal states that the preconfirmation layer will not alter the network’s existing consensus design. Instead, it would add a sequencer that bundles transactions into small "partial blocks," giving wallets and decentralized applications (DApps) near real-time feedback before the final settlement occurs through the usual two-second block cycle.
What Preconfirmations Bring to Berachain
By introducing a lightweight sequencer that temporarily validates and broadcasts partial transaction data, the preconfirmation design aims to reduce perceived latency.
This means that users will see their transactions included within 200 milliseconds, even though the full finality still occurs within the original two-second schedule.
This development would help decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and Web3 games feel faster and indistinguishable from centralized systems. It would allow developers to build applications where swaps, moves, or payments feel instant, even if the full settlement trails slightly behind.
The proposal also puts focus on safety and liveness. If the sequencer fails to synchronize, Berachain would simply revert to its default two-second block building cycle, which ensures network stability.
Preconfirmations on Other Blockchain Networks
Berachain isn’t the first blockchain to explore the idea of preconfirmations. The concept originated in Ethereum research circles, where developers sought to provide "soft confirmations" before a transaction is finalized onchain.
Ethereum layer-2 networks have been experimenting with similar near-instant inclusion features through shared sequencers and fast lane systems. In July, Base implemented Flashblocks, which brought preconfirmations to its mainnet.
Recently, preconfirmations were brought to the Ethereum mainnet through a new Remote Call Procedure (RPC) from the Ethereum infrastructure platform Primev. This enables faster transfers and smart contract interactions within the mainnet.