Zcash mined block 4,465,026 on the public testnet on October 4, 2026, at 18:21:45 UTC. The mining of this block marked the activation of the NU7 upgrade, an update that arrived ahead of the developers’ original schedule. The technical objective of this move is to slash the target block completion time from 75 seconds to 25 seconds, enabling private payment processes to run three times faster.
Following the activation of NU7, developers permanently shut down the separate testnet used during the initial testing phase. Zakura, the creator of Zcash auditing software, bolstered network readiness with a code implementation release on October 1. The Zcash Foundation then published a test version of Zebra the following day to ensure all network nodes are ready to process the new rules.
Overhauling Miner Economics
For external services that require three confirmations, user wait times have now dropped to 75 seconds, down sharply from the previous 225-second benchmark if they maintain the same confirmation count.
The three-fold faster block production will not flood the market with new coins. Developers cut block mining rewards to one-third of their previous rate to keep Zcash’s coin issuance schedule aligned with its original blueprint.
Developers also activated the Network Sustainability Mechanism to revamp the transaction fee structure. Miners validating blocks now receive a 40 percent share of network transaction fees. The system automatically pulls the remaining 60 percent from active circulation, holding it in reserve to fund future mining rewards.
Sprout Shutdown Deadline
The NU7 upgrade introduces an absolute deadline by disabling version 4 transactions and blocking access to the Sprout shielded pool. Fund holders who still hold assets in the Sprout pool must migrate their coins before mainnet activation takes place so their balances remain usable.
Developers have scheduled a meeting on October 20 to make final decisions and establish the mainnet activation block height. The primary launch target is set for November 5, 2026, though the team has not yet locked in a specific block height ahead of that deciding meeting.
This technical roadmap runs in parallel with the entry of advocacy group PGPZ, which registered its first lobbyist in Washington as of October 1. For users holding assets in Sprout, the November launch deadline is no longer just a routine upgrade schedule, but an ultimate cutoff to migrate funds before legacy pool access is permanently closed.
Source: CoinDesk.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only, not financial advice. Cryptocurrency assets are highly volatile and carry significant risk. Always do your own research (DYOR) and never invest more than you can afford to lose.
