Berachain announces PoL Next roadmap: reducing inflation, simplifying token models, and launching the ERA protocol

Deep Tide TechFlow News: On May 22, according to official information, Berachain released the next-phase roadmap for the evolution of its Proof of Liquidity (PoL). Berachain noted that most blockchains use tokens like faucets, with very little value flowing back; blockchains bear the operating costs of the economy, yet cannot profit from it. Berachain aims to break this deadlock with PoL Next—so that every dollar of emissions is converted into compound-interest gains for $BERA holders.

PoL Next will be advanced in three phases:

First phase: Reduce inflation. Lower the inflation rate from 8% to about 5%, and open dedicated emission channels for on-chain proprietary projects; integrate long-idle reward vaults to reduce meaningless allocations and enhance the emission impact of each token.

Second phase: Simplify the token model. Discontinue the BGT token, and accumulate all incentive value into SWBERA—one token, one revenue path, and one value destination for the entire ecosystem.

Third phase: Launch ERA (Emission Return Agreement). High-growth teams can apply for dedicated emission streams matched to their development stage to obtain non-dilutive growth capital. The agreement must provide a minimum fixed return within 3–12 months and permanently share a portion of future income with Berachain. In the future, ERA will fully replace the existing incentive market.

In addition, Berachain announced an implementation schedule: PoL Next will go live on the Bepolia testnet on May 26, and the Fusaka EL hard fork will take place at 16:00 (UTC) on May 27. The mainnet is planned to launch in late June. Remaining BGT can still be exchanged for BERA on the Hub, and future emission rewards will be claimed in the form of WBERA or SWBERA.