Zcash developers have introduced a proposal to further reduce the blockchain’s target block interval to 20 seconds, aiming to provide users with faster transaction confirmations. This development comes just days after the network implemented its NU7 upgrade, which had already lowered the block interval from 75 seconds to 25 seconds.
Proposal Details and Rationale
ValarDragon and Evan Forbes, two active contributors to the Zcash protocol, submitted their draft Zcash Improvement Proposal (ZIP) to the community forum on Sunday. They requested that the suggested change be included in the agenda for the next community poll and considered for the upcoming NU7.1 network upgrade.
If adopted, the shorter block interval would mean that users would experience less waiting time for initial transaction confirmations. The proposal says this improvement would directly benefit scenarios such as point-of-sale payments, exchange deposits, and cross-chain swaps, where speed is critical for a smooth user experience.
Zcash developers stated that the proposed modification would not boost the network’s total daily capacity for private transactions. The issuance schedule and the maximum cap of 21 million ZEC would remain unchanged, even with more frequent block production.
By maintaining the existing supply schedule, the developers aim to ensure consistency and predictability for Zcash holders and miners.
Recent NU7 Upgrade and Network Enhancements
On Friday, Zcash activated its NU7 upgrade on the main network, significantly reducing the block interval from 75 seconds to 25 seconds. This marks a major step toward improving transaction speed and enhancing the network’s overall efficiency.
The upgrade also brought in the Network Sustainability Mechanism, a new framework that recycles a portion of transaction fees into future mining rewards, helping to fund ongoing network security and development.
Despite these technical changes, Zcash’s supply remains capped at 21 million ZEC, continuing its longstanding commitment to scarcity and transparent monetary policy.
Mini dictionary: Zcash is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency based on zero-knowledge proofs, allowing users to send and receive funds without disclosing transaction details on the public blockchain.
| Upgrade | Block Interval | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Before NU7 | 75 seconds | Standard block production |
| After NU7 | 25 seconds | Network Sustainability Mechanism |
| Proposed (NU7.1) | 20 seconds | Faster confirmations |
Governance and Community Involvement
The draft proposal awaits feedback from the wider Zcash community and will be subject to a community poll. If consensus is reached, the change may be included in the NU7.1 upgrade. This participatory process is a key feature of how the Zcash ecosystem approaches upgrades and protocol changes.
Separately, Zcash’s grants group has been managing a $124 million compromise proposal, part of ongoing governance discussions within the project’s ecosystem.
The developers highlighted that any block interval reduction should be implemented without compromising network security or the integrity of the ZEC issuance schedule.
