Zcash Tests NU7 Upgrade for Faster Transactions and Fee Changes

Zcash has launched the public testnet for its upcoming NU7 upgrade, which is scheduled for a mainnet rollout on November 5, pending final testing. The upgrade aims to significantly reduce block time from 75 seconds to 25 seconds, speeding up transaction confirmations for users, exchanges, and merchants. This change is expected to improve efficiency and user experience across the Zcash network.

The NU7 upgrade also introduces changes to transaction fees, allocating 60% of fees to a reserve for future mining rewards while reducing the block reward to maintain the scheduled release of ZEC tokens. Additionally, the upgrade will deactivate the older Sprout privacy system, requiring users to move their funds before the mainnet upgrade to avoid any disruptions.

Developers and infrastructure operators are currently testing the NU7 upgrade on the public testnet to identify any issues before the mainnet launch. The final decision on the upgrade's activation will be made on October 20, based on the testnet results. This thorough testing phase ensures that the new features, including the faster block time and fee changes, are ready for the mainnet.