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News · Altcoins

Zcash Protocol Draft Outlines NU7 Upgrade With 25-Second Blocks and Sprout Deprecation

ZIP 259 schedules the NU7 network upgrade, slashing block target spacing to 25 seconds, introducing the Network Sustainability Mechanism, and invalidating legacy version 4 transactions.

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October 21, 2026basisdesk.news
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Key point 1 of 3

01

ZIP 259 defines Zcash's NU7 upgrade, cutting block target spacing from 75 seconds to 25 seconds and removing 60% of transaction fees from circulation.

October 21, 2026basisdesk.news
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Key point 2 of 3

02

Version 4 transactions will be invalidated upon activation, permanently rendering any remaining funds in the legacy Sprout shielded pool unspendable.

October 21, 2026basisdesk.news
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Key point 3 of 3

03

Testnet activation is set at block height 4,465,026, while the Mainnet activation height and subsequent NSM reissuance block height remain pending.

October 21, 2026basisdesk.news
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Context

Community sentiment polling conducted in August and September 2026 shaped the NU7 scope, rejecting transaction-format shifts in favor of faster block times and the Network…

October 21, 2026basisdesk.news
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Why it matters

Exchanges, node operators, and custodial wallets must update client software to avoid following an unsupported branch, while users holding funds in the deprecated Sprout pool face…

October 21, 2026basisdesk.news
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What to watch

The assignment and publication of the Mainnet NU7 activation block height and its derived NSM reissuance height.

October 21, 2026basisdesk.news
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Sources

Built from 1 primary source, machine-checked before publication.

  • zips.z.cash
October 21, 2026basisdesk.news
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October 21, 2026basisdesk.news
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