Deep Dive
1. Hardfork to PoL Next Model (July 2026)
Overview: This hardfork completed Berachain's transition away from its dual-token incentive model. It permanently stopped emissions of the BGT governance token and shifted all block rewards to fixed distributions of WBERA, the wrapped version of the native gas token.
The upgrade, activated on July 8, 2026, marks the full implementation of the "PoL Next" model built around sWBERA (staked WBERA). It phases out all BGT-linked vaults and liquid staking incentives, directly linking network rewards to the primary BERA token economy. The foundation stated this creates a simpler and more sustainable token structure.
What this means: This is bullish for BERA because it simplifies the user experience by focusing rewards on one main token. It could lead to higher and more predictable staking yields for BERA holders, potentially making the asset more attractive for long-term investment. The change aims to strengthen BERA's role as the core economic engine of the network.
(Berachain)
2. August Hardfork & Core Upgrades (August 2025)
Overview: This major network upgrade delivered four key improvements: forked execution clients for better client diversity, gas price stabilization aligned with Ethereum's rules, a fixed 2-second block time, and the "enshrinement" of Proof of Liquidity (PoL) where block rewards are automatically generated each block.
These changes, part of the official changelog, were designed to increase network stability and predictability. The gas price changes, in particular, were implemented to reduce spam transactions and create a more consistent fee market for users.
What this means: This is bullish for BERA because a more stable and predictable network improves the experience for both developers and users. Faster, consistent block times and controlled gas fees can make applications run smoother and cheaper, which could help attract more activity and value to the Berachain ecosystem.
(Berachain Docs)
Overview: In response to an exploit related to Balancer V2 on the Berachain DEX (BEX), the core team executed an emergency hardfork. The network was purposely halted by validators to deploy the fix and recover affected funds before safely restarting.
This was a critical security update. The team coordinated with a white-hat MEV bot operator who had control of the exploited funds to pre-sign transactions returning them to the official deployer address upon the chain's reactivation.
What this means: This is neutral to bullish for BERA because it demonstrates the project's ability to respond decisively to security crises. While the exploit was a negative event, the swift remediation and fund recovery help protect user assets and maintain trust in the network's long-term security and operational integrity.
(Berachain)
Conclusion
Berachain's recent codebase evolution shows a clear trajectory from launching core infrastructure to refining its economic model and responding to security challenges. The shift to a single-token incentive system aims to simplify value accrual for BERA, while consistent protocol upgrades work towards a more robust and developer-friendly chain. Will the simplified PoL Next model succeed in attracting sustainable on-chain activity and revenue?