Gemini has switched the software powering its Zcash systems to Zakura, replacing its previous Zebra implementation. The change comes as the cryptocurrency exchange prepares for Zcash's upcoming NU7 network upgrade.
In Gemini's deployments, Zakura caught up with the latest Zcash block in just over six hours, compared to close to a day for Zebra. Zakura's developers reported separate testing showing the software syncing in four hours and 20 minutes, versus nearly 21 hours for Zebra.
The upgrade matters for exchange operations because every exchange running a cryptocurrency must maintain its own computer verifying transactions on that network. If that computer crashes or falls behind, deposits and withdrawals typically pause until it resynchronizes.
Zcash's planned NU7 upgrade, targeted for Nov. 5, will reduce block times from 75 seconds to 25 seconds. This means network computers will need to receive and verify new transaction batches three times as often. Gemini has not published performance tests showing how Zakura will handle the faster block schedule.
Zakura's developers also offer a snapshot of recent network data that speeds initial synchronization approximately 680 times compared to downloading Zcash's full history from the beginning.
The switch reflects the Winklevoss brothers' broader involvement with Zcash. Their investment firm led a $59 million financing round for Cypherpunk Technologies, a publicly traded company that holds and mines ZEC. A Winklevoss-affiliated entity sold Cypherpunk a mining fleet for $33 million in August, and Cypherpunk uses Gemini for trading and custody of its ZEC holdings.
