Zcash NU7 Goes Live on Public Testnet 25-Second Blocks Are Now Being Tested
#Zcash has moved another step closer to its next major network upgrade.
The NU7 upgrade activated on Zcash’s public testnet at block 4,465,026 on October 4, bringing a major change to the network’s block timing: the target interval is being reduced from 75 seconds to 25 seconds.
In simple terms, blocks are expected to arrive around 3× more frequently. That could reduce the time users wait for confirmations, particularly for payments, exchange deposits and other applications that depend on block confirmations.
But NU7 is not only about faster blocks.
The upgrade also introduces a Network Sustainability Mechanism (NSM). Under the current design, 40% of transaction fees go to miners while 60% is directed into a reserve for future mining rewards. Per-block rewards are adjusted so the faster block schedule does not simply create ZEC at 3× the previous rate.
Another important change is the disabling of version 4 transactions. Because legacy Sprout transfers rely on this transaction version, ZEC remaining in the Sprout pool would become unspendable after NU7 activates on mainnet unless moved beforehand.
The next major checkpoint is October 20, when developers are expected to review the testnet results and make the final mainnet activation decision.
The current target for mainnet activation is November 5, 2026, but this should be viewed as a target rather than a guaranteed date.
For now, the important part is that NU7 has moved from development into live public-testnet testing.
If the testnet performs as expected, Zcash could soon have significantly faster block confirmation times while keeping its broader issuance schedule intact.
$ZEC
DYOR. This is a network upgrade update, not financial advice.
#Zcash has moved another step closer to its next major network upgrade.
The NU7 upgrade activated on Zcash’s public testnet at block 4,465,026 on October 4, bringing a major change to the network’s block timing: the target interval is being reduced from 75 seconds to 25 seconds.
In simple terms, blocks are expected to arrive around 3× more frequently. That could reduce the time users wait for confirmations, particularly for payments, exchange deposits and other applications that depend on block confirmations.
But NU7 is not only about faster blocks.
The upgrade also introduces a Network Sustainability Mechanism (NSM). Under the current design, 40% of transaction fees go to miners while 60% is directed into a reserve for future mining rewards. Per-block rewards are adjusted so the faster block schedule does not simply create ZEC at 3× the previous rate.
Another important change is the disabling of version 4 transactions. Because legacy Sprout transfers rely on this transaction version, ZEC remaining in the Sprout pool would become unspendable after NU7 activates on mainnet unless moved beforehand.
The next major checkpoint is October 20, when developers are expected to review the testnet results and make the final mainnet activation decision.
The current target for mainnet activation is November 5, 2026, but this should be viewed as a target rather than a guaranteed date.
For now, the important part is that NU7 has moved from development into live public-testnet testing.
If the testnet performs as expected, Zcash could soon have significantly faster block confirmation times while keeping its broader issuance schedule intact.
$ZEC
DYOR. This is a network upgrade update, not financial advice.
