Zcash has advanced its planned protocol changes by activating the NU7 network upgrade on the testnet. According to the Zcash testnet block explorer ZecBlock, the scheduled activation block 4,465,026 was mined on Oct. 4 at 18:21:45 UTC. Zcash subsequently confirmed the milestone in a post on X.
The NU7 upgrade introduces several key modifications to the Zcash protocol. It seeks to reduce the network's target block spacing from 75 seconds down to 25 seconds. Additionally, the upgrade integrates a Network Sustainability Mechanism designed to redirect a portion of transaction fees into future block rewards, while also disabling version 4 transactions.
The disabling of version 4 transactions means that any ZEC held within Zcash's legacy Sprout shielded pool will become unspendable unless users relocate those funds prior to the full activation of NU7 on the mainnet.
The Zcash Foundation urged testnet operators to utilize the release candidate to test NU7 under real-world conditions. This live testing phase provides developers with the opportunity to evaluate the upgrade before committing to mainnet deployment.
Developers are slated to make a final decision regarding mainnet activation and establish the specific activation height on Oct. 20, drawing on observations gathered during the testnet phase. The mainnet activation is currently targeted for Nov. 5.
