Zcash NU7 Upgrade Enters Public Testnet Ahead of November Launch

Zcash has initiated the public testnet phase for its upcoming NU7 upgrade, scheduled for a potential mainnet launch in November. This upgrade introduces several key changes, including a reduction in block time from 75 seconds to 25 seconds, which aims to speed up transaction confirmations. The upgrade also adjusts the distribution of transaction fees, allocating 60% to a reserve for future mining rewards while lowering the block reward to maintain ZEC's planned issuance schedule.

Another significant change in NU7 is the deactivation of the older Sprout privacy system. Users currently holding ZEC in Sprout addresses will need to transfer their funds to a different address before the upgrade goes live on the mainnet. The testnet phase allows developers, infrastructure operators, and other stakeholders to evaluate the changes in a real-world setting before finalizing the mainnet rollout.

The final decision on whether to proceed with the NU7 upgrade will be made on October 20, based on the results of the testnet phase. The target launch date for the mainnet is set for November 5, but this is subject to the outcomes of the ongoing testing and the final decision.

The testnet phase is crucial for identifying any potential issues and ensuring that the new rules perform as expected. The Zcash team will use the data collected during this phase to determine the readiness of the network for the mainnet upgrade.