Zcash developers have put forward a draft Zcash Improvement Proposal that would lower the network’s target block interval from 25 seconds to 20 seconds. The change is intended to shorten the time users wait for initial transaction confirmations and is aimed at inclusion in the upcoming NU7.1 network upgrade, subject to community approval.

The draft ZIP was submitted to the Zcash community forum on Sunday by developers ValarDragon and Evan Forbes. They asked for the proposal to be placed on the agenda for the next community poll and considered for NU7.1 if supported.

Faster Confirmations for Everyday Use

According to the proposal, reducing the block interval would cut the expected wait for the first confirmation. Developers identified practical benefits for point-of-sale payments, exchange deposits, and cross-chain swaps, where even modest improvements in confirmation speed can reduce friction for users and services.

The draft states that the adjustment would not increase the network’s overall daily capacity for private transactions. It would also leave Zcash’s existing issuance schedule and the hard cap of 21 million ZEC unchanged, even though blocks would be produced more frequently.

Context of the Recent NU7 Upgrade

The new proposal follows closely on the activation of the NU7 upgrade. That upgrade went live on the mainnet on Friday and cut the previous target block interval from 75 seconds to 25 seconds. NU7 also introduced the Network Sustainability Mechanism, which recycles a portion of transaction fees into future mining rewards while preserving the 21 million ZEC supply limit.

With the network already operating at the faster 25-second target, the latest ZIP continues the focus on reducing latency. A move from 25 seconds to 20 seconds represents a further 20 percent reduction in the expected block cadence.

Next Steps and Community Process

The draft remains a proposal and is not yet an activated protocol change. Its path forward depends on community feedback and the results of the planned poll. If approved, the shorter interval would be implemented as part of NU7.1.

Developers involved in the ZIP have indicated that any reduction in block times should maintain network security and the integrity of the ZEC issuance schedule. The Zcash community will now examine the technical and operational details of the proposed change.

As the community reviews the draft, attention will center on whether the shorter target interval can deliver the expected improvements in confirmation speed while keeping the network’s monetary and capacity parameters intact.