Zcash has activated its NU7 upgrade on the public testnet, introducing a 25-second target block interval instead of the previous 75 seconds. The public trial is designed to let exchanges, wallets and developers test the changes before the upgrade is expected to reach mainnet in November.
NU7 became active at block 4,465,026. Zakura, a software implementation that tracks the Zcash network and verifies transactions, has added the new rules to its public-testnet environment. The separate test network used previously has now been retired.
Because each block contains a batch of transactions, a shorter block interval could speed up payment processing for merchants and deposit credits at exchanges. A platform that requires three confirmations, for example, would have a target wait of roughly 75 seconds rather than 225 seconds if it keeps the same policy. Actual block intervals can fluctuate.
The testnet operates with coins that have no monetary value, allowing developers and infrastructure providers to evaluate the upgrade without involving real ZEC.
Support is now available across both major Zcash node implementations. Zakura released its NU7 implementation on Oct. 1, followed by the Zcash Foundation’s test release of Zebra on Oct. 2. Operators must upgrade to compatible software to participate in the public trial.
Fee Distribution and Issuance Also Change
NU7 changes Zcash’s treatment of transaction fees. Miners will receive 40%, with the other 60% removed from circulation and directed to a reserve intended to support mining rewards in the future. The reserve is designed to help compensate miners as the amount of newly issued ZEC decreases over time.
Although blocks are targeted to arrive three times faster, Zcash will not issue three times as many coins. The reward attached to each block will instead be reduced to one-third, keeping the network’s planned issuance schedule intact.
The upgrade will also disable Sprout transactions, affecting Zcash’s oldest private-payment system. Users with funds held in Sprout will need to move them before mainnet activation if they want to maintain the ability to spend those funds through the existing system.
Developers plan to review the results from the public testnet on Oct. 20 before deciding whether to activate NU7 on mainnet. Nov. 5 remains the target date, but a specific mainnet activation block has not yet been selected.
