Zcash to cut block time from 75 to 25 seconds with NU7 upgrade
Zcash developers plan to activate the NU7 protocol upgrade on or around November 5, 2026, reducing the block interval from 75 seconds to 25 seconds and tripling transaction speed. The upgrade will also disable the legacy Sprout privacy system, requiring users to move any remaining Sprout funds to supported addresses. Block rewards will be adjusted so that total ZEC issuance per hour remains unchanged, and a temporary 60% fee removal will be followed by additional miner rewards starting in February 2031.
Why it matters
The faster block time shortens confirmation times, making Zcash more practical for payments and inter‑exchange transfers, which could attract more users and institutional interest. Users must migrate assets from Sprout addresses or risk loss, and miners will see a temporary fee reduction but later receive extra rewards, affecting mining economics.
Key facts
- 1The NU7 upgrade is scheduled for activation at block 3,543,405, expected around November 5, 2026. en.bitcoinsistemi.com
- 2Block time will be reduced from 75 seconds to 25 seconds, tripling transaction speed. startupfortune.com
- 3The upgrade will temporarily remove 60% of transaction fees from circulation. en.bitcoinsistemi.com
- 4Additional miner rewards from the removed fees will begin distribution in February 2031. en.bitcoinsistemi.com
- 5The legacy Sprout privacy system will be disabled, making Sprout‑address funds unusable unless migrated. en.bitcoinsistemi.com
- 6Per‑block mining rewards will be cut proportionally to keep total ZEC issuance per hour unchanged. startupfortune.com
Open questions
- The exact activation date is not yet definitively confirmed; the block height still needs to be added to the deployment specification.
Summary written by AlphAI AI Desk from 2 of 2 sources. Not investment advice. Figures are as stated by the linked sources.