Zcash Activates NU7 Upgrade on Public Testnet

Zcash activated its NU7 upgrade on the public testnet on October 4, beginning live testing of shorter block intervals and changes to transaction fees ahead of a possible mainnet rollout. The activation occurred at block 4,465,026. Developers have targeted November 5 for mainnet activation, but the date is not final and no mainnet activation height has been set. NU7 reduces the target time between blocks from 75 seconds to 25 seconds. The change is intended to shorten waits for transaction confirmations, although actual block times can vary. Developers are scheduled to review test results on October 20 and decide whether to proceed with mainnet activation. The review will also determine whether to set an activation height. The upgrade adjusts issuance alongside the shorter block interval, so producing blocks more frequently is not intended to increase the overall issuance schedule. Per-block rewards would be reduced accordingly. NU7 also introduces a Network Sustainability Mechanism that would direct 60% of transaction fees to a reserve for future mining rewards, with the remaining 40% going to miners. These changes are being tested and have not been implemented on mainnet.