Zcash has launched its NU7 network upgrade on testnet, significantly accelerating block confirmation times from 75 seconds to 25 seconds while doubling overall network throughput. The update also strengthens resistance to spam attacks and introduces a new long-term miner support mechanism designed to sustain network security beyond upcoming halving events.
Developers decided against including the proposed v6 transaction format in NU7, citing ecosystem risks and compatibility concerns with hardware wallets including Ledger and Keystone. This decision reflects a cautious approach to protocol changes that could fragment wallet support across the privacy-focused blockchain's user base.
The threefold reduction in block times represents a substantial improvement to network responsiveness and transaction finality for Zcash users, addressing long-standing performance constraints relative to competing Layer 1 blockchains. The miner support mechanism addresses structural challenges facing proof-of-work networks in the post-halving era, where transaction fees alone may not sustain sufficient hashrate.