Zcash Activates NU7, Cutting Target Block Time to 25 Seconds

Zcash (ZEC) has activated its NU7 upgrade on mainnet, reducing the network’s target time between blocks from 75 seconds to 25 seconds and changing the timing of miner payments.

NU7 cuts that target by 50 seconds, setting it at one-third of its former length.

Under the upgrade, 60% of the fees collected in each block will no longer be paid to miners immediately. That portion is temporarily removed from circulation, with payments to miners due to begin again around February 2031.

NU7 also fully shuts down Sprout, Zcash’s original privacy system. The upgrade’s three listed changes cover block timing, fee distribution and Sprout’s status on the network. The block-time target sets the intended interval, while the fee rule applies to 60% of fees collected per block.