Zcash Targets November 5 for NU7 Upgrade, Cutting Block Time to 25 Seconds
Zcash developers have set block height 3,543,405 as the activation target for the NU7 upgrade, expected around November 5. The upgrade will reduce block time from 75 seconds to 25 seconds, introduce new miner fee rules, and sunset the Sprout protocol.
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Block Time and Activation Target
Zcash developers have designated block 3,543,405 as the activation point for the NU7 upgrade, targeting deployment around November 5. The upgrade will cut block time to 25 seconds from the current 75 seconds, according to announcements from the Zcash team. The chosen block height still requires integration into the network specification and deployment in node software before activation.
Additional Protocol Changes
Beyond faster blocks, NU7 will introduce revised miner fee rules and mark the shutdown of the Sprout protocol layer, an earlier iteration of Zcash's shielded transaction design. The combination of these changes represents the most substantial upgrade to Zcash since prior major network forks.
Next Steps
Developers must finalize the block height in the specification and ship it across the node implementations before the November target becomes official. No delays have been announced, but spec integration and software deployment can shift timelines.
Why It Matters
For Traders
Faster block times may reduce confirmation wait for Zcash transactions and could shift arbitrage dynamics across privacy-focused trading pairs.
For Investors
Sunsetting Sprout streamlines the codebase and security surface; lower block time improves throughput, making Zcash more practical for routine payments.
For Builders
Applications depending on Zcash block confirmations must recalibrate finality assumptions; faster blocks lower transaction latency for layer-2 or sidechain systems built on top.
This article is for information only and is not financial advice. Read the full disclaimer.
