Zcash developers have set a firm timetable for NU7, the network upgrade that will cut block times from 75 seconds to 25 seconds, and they say the testnet will go live on Oct. 6. The mainnet activation is targeted for Nov. 5, though the final decision on that date and the exact height comes Oct. 20 after a review of how the testnet performs.
The upgrade also brings the Network Sustainability Mechanism (NSM), which will preserve Zcash’s halving schedule. That means previously reduced supply begins to return in February 2031, according to Zcash developer Sean Bowe.
Bowe’s Announcements
Bowe confirmed the testnet date on Thursday. He also said the upgrade would not introduce new transaction formats, which he believes should mean wallets see little change. Full nodes, indexers and block explorers are likely to need adjustments, he warned. A 75-to-25-second shift changes how they handle the flow of information.
The upgrade disables version 4 transactions as part of the broader package. That means some older transaction types will no longer be allowed on the chain once NU7 activates on mainnet.
Community Vote Results
ZEC holders backed the shorter block interval and preserving the halving schedule on Wednesday. The margin was nearly unanimous:
- 98.9% supported keeping halvings
- 99.9% of the Zcash (ZEC)-weighted vote supported the faster-block proposal
The vote results show strong alignment between token holders and the development team.
Price Action
ZEC’s price moved sharply ahead of the announcement. On Thursday, ZEC rose about 20% over 24 hours, according to the report. Privacy coins substantially outperformed the wider market.
Glassnode data showed that the sector was 213% above its level at Bitcoin’s October 2025 peak. A basket of assets excluding ZEC was up about 85% over the past year.
The timing of the upgrade announcement and the price move is notable. Both occurred within days of each other.
What the Upgrade Actually Changes
The key parts of NU7 are straightforward:
- Block times drop from 75 seconds to 25 seconds
- Version 4 transactions are disabled
- The Network Sustainability Mechanism (NSM) is integrated
- The halving schedule is preserved, with reduced supply returning in February 2031
The block time reduction is the headline, but the NSM is doing the heavy lifting. The chosen configuration keeps the existing pattern of supply reductions in place.
Risks and Next Steps
The testnet on Oct. 6 is the first real check on whether NU7 works. Bowe said the final decision on mainnet activation and the exact height comes Oct. 20, after an assessment of the testnet’s performance. That review will determine if the upgrade meets the criteria set by the development team before the mainnet deployment moves forward.
There is also the question of how full nodes, indexers and explorers respond. These systems need to adjust to the new block time. The upgrade’s effects on infrastructure are real, and developers have warned that full nodes, indexers and block explorers are likely to need adjustments to handle the new flow of information.
Reading the Reaction
The vote results show strong alignment between token holders and the development team. The upgrade has near-unanimous backing from those who voted.
The price action adds another layer. Privacy coins generally outperformed the wider market, and ZEC’s 20% move over 24 hours stands out within that group.
Whether the upgrade actually delivers on its promises remains to be seen. The testnet will show whether the technical work holds together, and the final decision on Oct. 20 will confirm whether the mainnet path is clear.
For now, Zcash has a plan, a vote, and a price story all moving in the same direction. The next few weeks will tell the rest of the story.
Source material: “Zcash targets November for NU7 mainnet upgrade with 25-second blocks,” Cointelegraph.
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