Current outcome
NU7 is now active on public testnet, with mainnet launch targeted for Nov. 5, pending a final activation decision after test result review on Oct. 20.
Progress timeline
6 material updates- #01
Zcash holders overwhelmingly back faster transactions and bitcoin-style halvings
Zcash holders approved NU7 governance measures with overwhelming majorities, including 25-second block times, preserving the bitcoin-style halving schedule, delaying Network Sustainability Mechanism fee reissuance until 2031, and disabling obsolete Sprout transactions.
Source evidence: CoinDesk
- #02
Zcash targets November for NU7 mainnet upgrade with 25-second blocks
Zcash developers have reached unanimous agreement to target November 5 for the NU7 mainnet upgrade, which will cut block times to 25 seconds, disable version 4 transactions, and integrate the Network Sustainability Mechanism while preserving the halving schedule.
Source evidence: Cointelegraph
- #03
Zcash Is Running—Devs Want to Make It Faster
Developers revealed NU7 testnet on Oct. 6, mainnet activation height set on Oct. 20, specs due by Sept. 30; ZIP 218 divides per-block reward by ~3 to keep daily issuance unchanged; 98.9% of coinholders voted to keep halvings; Network Sustainability Mechanism will bank ~60% of transaction fees starting 2026, flowing back as supplemental mining rewards in Feb. 2031.
State after update: Zcash developers unanimously agreed to activate the NU7 mainnet upgrade on Nov. 5, cutting block times from 75 to 25 seconds while keeping daily issuance unchanged via ZIP 218, and integrating the Network Sustainability Mechanism (fee banking starting 2026, supplemental rewards in Feb. 2031), with halvings preserved.
Source evidence: Decrypt
- #04
Zcash’s November upgrade could freeze funds in legacy Sprout pool
NU7 will disable version 4 transactions under ZIP-2003, making ZEC in the legacy Sprout shielded pool unspendable after the upgrade; community members and Zcash co-founder Zooko Wilcox warned holders to move funds, though the proposal does not burn the funds and leaves open the possibility of restoring access later.
State after update: Zcash plans to activate NU7 on Nov. 5, cutting block times to 25 seconds while keeping daily issuance unchanged; the upgrade will also disable version 4 transactions, potentially making ZEC in the legacy Sprout shielded pool unspendable; testnet is scheduled for Oct. 6 and a mainnet activation decision is expected on Oct. 20.
Source evidence: Cointelegraph
- #05
Zcash NU7升级已在测试网上线，计划于11月5日上线主网
Zcash activated NU7 on testnet at block height 4,465,026 (mined Oct. 4 at 18:21:45 UTC), landing ahead of the previously scheduled Oct. 6 testnet launch, with live testing of the 25-second target block interval, version 4 transaction disablement, and the fee-redirecting Network Sustainability Mechanism.
State after update: NU7 is now live on the Zcash testnet (activation height 4,465,026, block mined Oct. 4 at 18:21:45 UTC); developers will decide on Oct. 20 whether to proceed to mainnet and set the activation height, with mainnet activation still targeted for Nov. 5, when disabling version 4 transactions would make ZEC in the legacy Sprout shielded pool unspendable unless holders migrate in time.
Source evidence: theblockbeats
- #06
Zcash’s 25-second blocks go live on public testnet ahead of schedule
Zcash's NU7 upgrade activated on public testnet, cutting target block time from 75 seconds to 25 seconds ahead of schedule; 60% of transaction fees redirected to a future mining reward reserve; legacy Sprout privacy system disabled. Mainnet planned for Nov. 5, with developers to review test results and decide on activation Oct. 20.
State after update: NU7 is now active on public testnet, with mainnet launch targeted for Nov. 5, pending a final activation decision after test result review on Oct. 20.
Source evidence: CoinDesk