Zcash has activated its NU7 upgrade on the public testnet, bringing 25-second target block times ahead of a planned November mainnet rollout. The network confirmed the activation, and the activation block was mined at height 4,465,026 on October 4 at 18:21 UTC.
NU7 activated on testnet. $ZEC pic.twitter.com/Iwl4t51cSh
— Zcash 🛡️ (@Zcash) October 4, 2026
Under ZIP 218, target block spacing falls from 75 seconds to 25 seconds. Blocks should arrive three times as frequently, reducing the expected wait for a first confirmation. Actual block times vary, and payment services may still require multiple confirmations before crediting funds.
Developer Sean Bowe’s timeline targets November 5 for mainnet activation. The final decision and activation height are due on October 20, after teams assess testnet performance. The test phase allows developers to check consensus, mining, wallets and supporting infrastructure before deploying the changes on the main network.
The Zcash Foundation said NU7 also introduces a Network Sustainability Mechanism, placing 60% of transaction fees into a reserve for future mining rewards while miners retain 40%. Block subsidies are divided by three to offset faster blocks; scheduled daily issuance, four-year halvings and the 21 million ZEC supply cap remain unchanged.
The deployment specification also disables version 4 transactions, making remaining funds in the legacy Sprout pool unspendable after mainnet activation. NU7 adds limits on shielded transaction activity to reduce wallet-processing burdens, alongside the faster confirmation target.
Disclaimer: CoinScreamer is an independent media brand owned and operated by NuvexMedia LLC, publishing news, research, and market insights on digital assets and related technologies. NuvexMedia LLC invests in and collaborates with companies across the digital asset, blockchain, and technology sectors. These relationships do not influence CoinScreamer’s editorial coverage, and the publication maintains full editorial independence to provide accurate, timely, and objective information. © 2025 NuvexMedia LLC. All rights reserved. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, investment, financial, or other professional advice.
