Zcash NU7 Countdown: Block 3,543,405, Live

Live tracker

Where the chain is now

Activation block

3,543,405

Blocks to go

1,052

Chain tip

3,542,353

Mean block time

75.1 s

Blocks sampled

1,150

Branch ID

0x77190AD9

Data as of 2026-11-05 04:39 UTC, from cipherscan:blockchain-info. For reference only: ZecBlock published a static estimate of Fri, Nov 6, 02:15 UTC (Thu, Nov 5, 8:15 PM CT). It is not ZecStats' estimate.

The upgrade

What is NU7?

NU7 is Zcash's next network upgrade: a set of consensus-rule changes that every full node enforces from block 3,543,405. ZIP 259 defines the deployment and lists what it includes: ZIP 207 (revision 2), ZIP 214 (revision 3), ZIP 218, ZIP 235, ZIP 237, ZIP 2003 and ZIP 2008. All of them have Proposed status. The NU7 consensus branch ID is 0x77190AD9.

The headline change is a shorter block target, 25 seconds instead of 75, with the per-block subsidy cut to a third so the ZEC issued per day stays the same. NU7 introduces no new transaction format and no new value pool. It has been active on testnet since block 4,465,026.

Timing

When does NU7 activate?

The activation height is fixed in the node software: block 3,543,405, from ZIP 259 and Zebra's mainnet constants. The ZIPs repository set that height on Oct 20, 2026, and the NU7 ZIPs moved to Proposed on Oct 21. The Zcash Foundation planned the upgrade for around Nov 5.

The activation time is an estimate: it depends on how fast the remaining blocks arrive. The evening of Nov 5 in the US is already Nov 6 in UTC, so this page always names the zone. Current estimate: ~8:35 PM CT, Thu, Nov 5 · likely 7:45–9:30 PM CT, which is ~02:35 UTC, Fri, Nov 6 · likely 01:45–03:30 UTC.

One block before activation, the node's next-block branch switches to NU7; from block 3,543,405 the chain tip carries the NU7 branch. ZecStats calls NU7 live only when the tip is at or above that block and the node reports NU7 active.

What changes

What NU7 changes

25-second blocks (ZIP 218)

The target block spacing drops from 75 to 25 seconds: about 3,456 blocks a day instead of 1,152. Difficulty does not reset; block times move toward the new target as it adjusts at the normal rate. ZIP 218 estimates the Orchard-protocol throughput ceiling rises from about 2.9 to 6.6 transactions per second.

Same ZEC per day

The block subsidy drops from 1.5625 to 0.52083333 ZEC (52,083,333 zatoshis), so three times the blocks issue the same ZEC per day. Per block, Zcash Community Grants receives 0.04166666 ZEC, the lockbox 0.06249999 ZEC and the miner 0.41666668 ZEC plus 40% of fees. The 21 million cap is unchanged.

Halving moves to block 6,132,390

The third halving moves from block 4,406,400 to 6,132,390. With three times the blocks per day, its date stays about the same, around late November 2028. The subsidy then drops to 0.26041666 ZEC. See the halving countdown.

Network Sustainability Mechanism (ZIPs 235, 237)

60% of each block's transaction fees leave circulation into the NSM balance; the miner keeps 40%. The fees are not destroyed: ZIP 237 reissues the balance from block 8,939,664 (around February 2031), preserving the halvings and the 21M cap. The balance starts at 368.58445520 ZEC and is not a value pool.

Version 4 transactions end; Sprout freezes (ZIP 2003)

From block 3,543,405 every version 4 transaction is invalid, including transparent-only, Sapling and offline-signed ones; versions 5 and 6 stay valid. That makes the Sprout pool unspendable, not burned: ZIP 2003 says it may never be re-enabled. Sprout holds 12,225.69 ZEC right now.

Dev fund address update (ZIP 2008)

The Zcash Community Grants stream pays a new address, t1MkHnkxVjNpNbCrSs3AJ8J7ZSp6NTYiUcG, from the first post-NU7 address period (around block 3,612,390, late November). The split is unchanged: 8% to ZCG and 12% to the lockbox, with both streams ending at block 6,132,390 (ZIP 214).

Per-block shielded limits (ZIP 218)

Each block may carry at most 330 shielded actions in total, 330 Orchard actions, 330 Ironwood actions and 300 Sapling inputs plus outputs. Sprout JoinSplits are not allowed.

Longer expiry window

The transaction expiry delta grows from 40 to 120 blocks, keeping roughly the same wall-clock window at the faster pace. Coinbase maturity stays 100 blocks and the anchor depth is 3.

Scope

What's not in NU7

ZIP 259 lists exactly what NU7 deploys. None of these are part of it:

Zcash Shielded Assets (ZSAs), ZIPs 226 and 227.
Memo bundles, ZIP 231.
ZIP 233 (voluntary NSM removal) and ZIP 234 (issuance smoothing): "NU7 does not deploy ZIP 233 or ZIP 234."
Crosslink and Tachyon.
A new shielded pool, or a new transaction format: "NU7 introduces no new transaction format."

Checklist

Who needs to act

ZEC holders

Update your wallet app before activation. Zodl needs v3.19.0 or later: "To continue using Zodl after the upgrade, you'll need the latest version of the app." Zingo 3.0.0 on mobile supports NU7. ZecStats has not verified NU7 statements for Ledger, Keystone or Ywallet. Funds still in Sprout cannot move after activation.

Node operators

Run Zebra 7.0.0 (released Oct 22, 2026) or Zakura 1.7.0 or later before block 3,543,405; zcashd is not supported. Setups that need the zcashd interface use the zcashd-compat v1.3.0 sidecar, which follows NU7. Zebra 6.4.x and 7.0.0-rc.0 already halted at block 3,540,768. The Zcash Foundation: "All Mainnet operators MUST upgrade before height 3,543,405 (~Nov 5) to stay on the consensus chain."

Exchanges

Three times as many blocks per hour; how many confirmations to require stays each exchange's call. Version 4 transactions from legacy tooling are invalid from activation. ZecStats has not verified any exchange NU7 notice.

Miners and pools

Upgrade before block 3,543,405. Each block pays a third of the old subsidy, with three times the blocks. The miner keeps 40% of fees; 60% goes to the NSM (fees are small today, about 0.00175 ZEC per block). getblocktemplate excludes the NSM share.

Wallet and SDK developers

Stop building version 4 transactions, use the 120-block expiry and stay under the per-block shielded limits. NU7 needs no new transaction format: versions 5 and 6 remain valid. The minimum peer protocol version on mainnet is 170190.

Live data

Zcash value pools at NU7

Pool	At NU7	Balance
Transparent	open	11,970,018 ZEC
Sprout	freezes at NU7	12,225.69 ZEC
Sapling	open	421,498 ZEC
Orchard	sealed (migrating)	324,251 ZEC
Ironwood	open	4,222,326 ZEC
Lockbox	accruing	74,241 ZEC

NU7 adds no pool; the NSM balance is not a value pool and is not counted in chain supply. Balances as of 2026-11-05 04:39 UTC. Every pool explained on the shielded pools page.

History

Zcash network upgrade timeline

Upgrade	Mainnet activation block
Overwinter	347,500
Sapling	419,200
Blossom	653,600
Heartwood	903,000
Canopy	1,046,400
NU5	1,687,104
NU6	2,726,400
NU6.1	3,146,400
NU6.2	3,364,600
NU6.3 (Ironwood)	3,428,143
NU7	3,543,405

Activation heights from Zebra's mainnet constants, matching the upgrade list a live node reports. NU6.3 (Ironwood, July 28, 2026) added the fifth shielded pool and sealed Orchard; NU7 brings 25-second blocks, the NSM and the end of version 4 transactions.

Questions

NU7 FAQ

When is Zcash NU7?

NU7 activates at block 3,543,405. ZecStats estimates ~8:35 PM CT on Thu, Nov 5 (~02:35 UTC on Fri, Nov 6), likely between 7:45–9:30 PM CT. The block height is fixed; the clock time moves with block times.

What block does NU7 activate at?

Block 3,543,405 on mainnet, set by ZIP 259 and in Zebra's mainnet constants. The NU7 consensus branch ID is 0x77190AD9. On testnet, NU7 has been active since block 4,465,026.

What time does NU7 activate in UTC and US Central time?

Estimated ~02:35 UTC, Fri, Nov 6 · likely 01:45–03:30 UTC, which is ~8:35 PM CT, Thu, Nov 5 · likely 7:45–9:30 PM CT. Activation crosses UTC midnight: the evening of Nov 5 in the US is Nov 6 in UTC. Only the block height is fixed.

Has NU7 activated yet?

Not yet. The chain tip was at block 3,542,353, 1,052 blocks before activation, when this page was generated.

What is NU7?

NU7 is Zcash's next network upgrade, defined by ZIP 259. It moves the block target from 75 to 25 seconds while keeping the ZEC issued per day the same, sends 60% of transaction fees to the Network Sustainability Mechanism, ends version 4 transactions (which makes the Sprout pool unspendable), updates the Zcash Community Grants address and adds per-block shielded limits. Its ZIPs have Proposed status.

Is NU7 a hard fork?

Yes, in the sense that it changes consensus rules. Every full node must upgrade before the activation block to stay on the consensus chain; ZIP 259 notes that nodes which have not upgraded may follow a pre-NU7 consensus branch.

Do I need to do anything with my ZEC?

If your ZEC is in a self-custody wallet, update the wallet app before activation (Zodl needs v3.19.0 or later). There is nothing to claim or move. The exception is Sprout: funds still in the Sprout pool cannot be spent after activation. ZEC on an exchange is handled by the exchange.

What happens to Sprout ZEC?

From NU7, version 4 transactions are invalid, which makes the Sprout pool unspendable. The funds are not burned; ZIP 2003 says Sprout may never be re-enabled. The Sprout pool holds 12,225.69 ZEC right now.

Will exchanges pause ZEC deposits and withdrawals?

ZecStats has not verified any exchange NU7 notice. Each exchange decides how it handles the upgrade; check your exchange's announcements around activation.

How fast are transactions after NU7?

Blocks are targeted every 25 seconds instead of 75, so a first confirmation should arrive about three times sooner once block times settle. Difficulty does not reset; it adjusts at the normal rate, so the 25-second pace is reached gradually. ZIP 218 estimates the Orchard-protocol throughput ceiling rises from about 2.9 to 6.6 transactions per second.

Does NU7 change ZEC supply, issuance or the halving date?

Issuance per day stays the same: the block subsidy drops from 1.5625 to 0.52083333 ZEC while blocks come three times as often. The 21 million cap is unchanged. The third halving moves from block 4,406,400 to 6,132,390, at about the same date (around late November 2028).

What is the NSM, and does NU7 burn ZEC?

NU7 does not burn ZEC. The Network Sustainability Mechanism (ZIPs 235 and 237) takes 60% of each block's transaction fees out of circulation into the NSM balance instead of paying them to the miner, who keeps 40%. ZIP 237 reissues that balance from block 8,939,664, around February 2031.

Does NU7 include Zcash Shielded Assets (ZSAs)?

No. ZIP 259 lists the ZIPs NU7 deploys, and ZSAs are not among them. Memo bundles, ZIP 233, ZIP 234, Crosslink and Tachyon are not part of NU7 either.

Which node version do I need, and does zcashd support NU7?

Run Zebra 7.0.0 or Zakura 1.7.0 or later before the activation block. zcashd is not supported; setups that need the zcashd interface use the zcashd-compat v1.3.0 sidecar, which follows NU7. Zebra 6.4.x and 7.0.0-rc.0 already halted at block 3,540,768.

Will my Zodl or Ledger wallet still work?

Zodl says you need v3.19.0 or later to keep using it after the upgrade. Zingo 3.0.0 on mobile supports NU7. ZecStats has not verified NU7 statements for Ledger, Keystone or Ywallet; check with the wallet's maker before activation.

How many network upgrades has Zcash had?

Counting every activation in a node's mainnet upgrade list, NU7 is the eleventh, after Overwinter, Sapling, Blossom, Heartwood, Canopy, NU5, NU6, NU6.1, NU6.2 and NU6.3. The timeline on this page lists each one's activation block.

What was Ironwood?

Ironwood is the NU6.3 upgrade, activated at block 3,428,143 on July 28, 2026. It added Zcash's fifth shielded pool and sealed Orchard to new shielded transactions; Orchard funds are migrating into Ironwood. NU7 adds no new pool.

Methodology

How the countdown is computed

Estimate. Estimated time = the instant the chain tip was observed + blocks remaining × mean block time. The mean comes from ZecStats' own chain-tip snapshots over the last 24 hours, falling back to 6 hours, then the 24-hour block count, then the 75-second target. The likely window is the P10–P90 range around that estimate, which narrows as fewer blocks remain. Every time is rounded to 5 minutes. Right now: own-snapshots-24h, mean 75.1 s.

Activation. The page flips by block height and node status, never by a clock. It says NU7 is live only when the tip is at or above block 3,543,405 and the node reports the NU7 branch or NU7 status active. If the tip stops advancing for 15 minutes, or the node reports a different activation height, it shows "waiting for chain data" instead of a countdown.

Sources

LeoDex routeSwap ZEC cross-chain

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