CoinDesk
Zcash developers have proposed reducing the target interval between blocks from 25 seconds to 20, days after the NU7 upgrade cut the interval from 75 seconds. Early data showed an observed orphan-block rate of 0.69%, close to the approximately 0.66% recorded before NU7, while an 80-miner test produced competing-block losses of 1.9% to 3.3%.
Why it matters
The proposal would shorten the expected wait for a first Zcash confirmation from about 25 seconds to 20 seconds. An exchange requiring three confirmations could receive its first confirmation in about 60 seconds instead of 75 seconds, although actual timing varies with miner discovery.
Faster blocks can increase wasted mining work when miners find competing blocks at nearly the same time. The early orphan rate remains encouraging, but monitoring expanded from one node to 10 around NU7, limiting the precision of direct comparisons. Test results also do not guarantee live-network performance.
Market impact
The change would not raise Zcash's daily capacity for private transactions. Developers would reduce the number of transactions included in each block, offsetting the higher number of blocks and limiting the additional data wallets must process.
The proposal preserves Zcash's issuance schedule and 21 million ZEC supply cap. Developers Dev Ojha and Evan Forbes want it considered in the next community poll and potentially included in NU7.1, but it has not been approved or assigned an activation date.
Frequently asked questions
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How would 20-second Zcash blocks affect payment confirmation times?
The expected wait for a first confirmation would fall from about 25 seconds to 20 seconds. An exchange requiring three confirmations could receive its first confirmation in about 60 seconds instead of 75 seconds.
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Would faster Zcash blocks increase daily private-transaction capacity?
No. Developers would reduce the number of transactions per block to offset the higher block count, keeping daily capacity and the data wallets must process broadly unchanged.
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What evidence supports Zcash's proposed 20-second block target?
An 80-miner test produced competing-block losses of 1.9% to 3.3%, below 4.68% in earlier stress tests. Early live data after NU7 also showed an observed orphan rate close to pre-upgrade levels.
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Would the proposed speed increase change Zcash's supply cap?
No. The proposal preserves Zcash's issuance schedule and its 21 million ZEC supply limit.
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When could Zcash activate 20-second blocks?
The proposal has not been approved or assigned an activation date. Developers want it considered in the next community poll and potentially included in the future NU7.1 upgrade.
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