CoinDesk
Zcash developers agreed to target block 3,543,405 for activating NU7, an upgrade expected around Nov. 5. It would cut block times from 75 seconds to 25 seconds, potentially reducing the wait for three transaction confirmations from nearly four minutes to about 75 seconds.
The proposal, filed by developer Sean Bowe, has received two approvals but still needs to be merged into the deployment specification. Node software must also include the chosen activation height before the upgrade can take effect. NU7 has been running on Zcash’s test network since early October.
Why it matters
Faster blocks could shorten the time exchanges and other services wait before crediting ZEC deposits. The change affects confirmation speed, not a guarantee that every exchange will update its deposit policies or credit funds at the same pace.
NU7 also changes Zcash’s fee and privacy arrangements. It will temporarily remove 60% of block fees from circulation, with those coins scheduled to be paid back to miners starting around February 2031. The change preserves the existing schedule for halving mining rewards.
Market impact
The upgrade will also shut down Sprout, Zcash’s original privacy system. Any coins still held there at activation will become unspendable, so holders need to move them before the change takes effect.
For ZEC, the key near-term milestones are final approval in the deployment specification and inclusion of the activation height in node software. The Nov. 5 date remains a target until those steps are completed.
Frequently asked questions
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How much faster could Zcash deposits become under NU7?
Block times would fall from 75 seconds to 25 seconds. For a service waiting for three confirmations, the delay could drop from nearly four minutes to about 75 seconds.
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What needs to happen before NU7 can activate?
The activation proposal still needs to be merged into the deployment specification, and node software must include the chosen block height.
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What happens to Zcash block fees under NU7?
The upgrade will temporarily remove 60% of fees collected in each block from circulation. Those coins are scheduled to be paid back to miners starting around February 2031.
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What happens to funds held in Zcash’s Sprout system?
Sprout, Zcash’s original privacy system, will shut down at activation. Coins still held there will become unspendable, so holders need to move them beforehand.
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Does NU7 change Zcash’s mining-reward halving schedule?
No. The upgrade’s temporary removal of 60% of block fees is separate from the existing schedule for reducing mining rewards by 50%, which it preserves.
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