Zcash Shifts Into Fast Mode as 25-Second Blocks Reach the NU7 Testnet

By Kevin · 2026-10-05 · News

Oct. 5 (CandyPulse) — Zcash is getting faster. The privacy-focused network's NU7 upgrade has gone live on its public testnet, cutting the time between blocks from 75 seconds to 25 seconds. A mainnet launch is targeted for November.

Key takeaways

NU7 activated on testnet at block 4,465,026 on Oct. 4
Block time drops from 75 seconds to 25 seconds
A new Network Sustainability Mechanism changes how fees are shared
Developers decide on mainnet on Oct. 20, targeting Nov. 5

What NU7 changes

Change	Before	After NU7
Target block time	75 seconds	25 seconds
Version 4 transactions	Allowed	Disabled
Transaction fees	Paid to miners	40% to miners, 60% to a reserve for future block rewards

Faster blocks

A block time of 25 seconds means transactions get their first confirmation about three times faster. For everyday payments, that makes Zcash feel noticeably more responsive.

A new way to fund the network

NU7 also introduces a Network Sustainability Mechanism. Instead of miners keeping all transaction fees, 40% go to miners and 60% go into a reserve that funds future block rewards. The idea is to support the network's security over the long term, as new coin issuance shrinks.

Why it matters

Zcash has been in the spotlight lately. Privacy is becoming a big theme across crypto, and Zcash's shielded transactions are among the best-known privacy tools. At the same time, the network faces scrutiny when its privacy features are used to hide stolen funds, as happened after the recent Bitget hack.

A faster, more sustainable network could help Zcash compete as demand for private payments grows.

What's next

Developers will review how NU7 performs on testnet and make a final decision on October 20, including the exact activation block. If all goes well, mainnet activation is targeted for November 5. Node operators and exchanges will need to upgrade before then.

This article is for information only and is not financial advice.