22,309 $ZEC could become unspendable. Zcash faces a major decision on October 20.

Zcash's proposed NU7 upgrade could disable its legacy Sprout privacy pool, potentially leaving approximately 22,309 ZEC, worth around $26 million, inaccessible if holders fail to migrate.

But NU7 isn't just about retiring old technology.

The upgrade also introduces:

• 25-second blocks, down from 75 seconds.

• New limits to improve shielded transaction efficiency.

• A sustainability mechanism that redirects part of transaction fees toward future rewards.

Here's the important distinction: NU7 is already on testnet, but mainnet activation remains undecided. November 5 is the proposed launch date.

The bigger question is whether improving network performance justifies potentially stranding legacy funds.

Should Zcash prioritize modernization or preserve access for every existing holder?