NU7

Zcash advanced after the NU7 upgrade entered testnet, a step designed to cut settlement times from around 75 seconds to 25 seconds once deployed on mainnet. ZEC has bounced from the $1,300 area, while traders weigh a possible retest of $1,450 against ETF outflows and broader crypto sentiment.

Zcash has activated its NU7 upgrade on public testnet ahead of a planned mainnet rollout on Nov. 5. The change cuts the target block time from 75 seconds to 25 seconds while adjusting rewards, fees and legacy Sprout transaction support.

Gemini has replaced Zebra with Zakura for its Zcash systems, saying the newer software caught up with the network in just over six hours during deployments. The change comes as Zcash developers prepare the NU7 upgrade, which would cut block times from 75 seconds to 25 seconds.

Zcash developers are aiming for a Nov. 5 activation of NU7, an upgrade that would reduce block times from 75 seconds to 25 seconds. The proposal would also temporarily set aside about 60% of transaction fees for future miner rewards beginning in February 2031.

Zcash holders overwhelmingly supported shorter block times, preserving the network’s bitcoin-style halving schedule and moving ahead quickly with the NU7 upgrade. Nearly 2.4 million ZEC participated in the privacy-preserving vote, representing roughly two-thirds of eligible tokens.