Zcash's NU7 network upgrade has been activated on its testnet, allowing developers to test changes including a reduced block time and a new fee mechanism. The upgrade is targeted for mainnet activation on November 5, with a final decision on proceeding set for October 20.
The NU7 upgrade aims to improve Zcash's network efficiency and sustainability by reducing block times and altering its fee structure, potentially impacting transaction costs and network throughput.
Zcash has activated its NU7 network upgrade on its testnet, marking a significant step towards its planned mainnet rollout. The upgrade, which went live on October 4 at block 4,465,026, introduces several key changes to the Zcash protocol. These include reducing the target block spacing from 75 seconds to 25 seconds, disabling version 4 transactions, and integrating a Network Sustainability Mechanism. This mechanism is designed to redirect a portion of transaction fees into future block rewards, aiming to ensure the network's long-term viability. Developers have several weeks to rigorously test these changes under real-world conditions on the testnet. A critical consideration for users is that any ZEC held in the legacy Sprout shielded pool will become unspendable if not moved to a different pool before the mainnet activation of NU7. The Zcash Foundation has encouraged testnet operators to utilize the release candidate for comprehensive testing. A final decision regarding the mainnet activation, including setting the specific activation height, is scheduled for October 20, based on the insights gained from the testnet phase. The mainnet rollout is currently targeted for November 5.
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