Zcash developers are targeting Nov. 5, 2026, for Network Upgrade 7, or NU7, mainnet activation, subject to an Oct. 20 review following planned testnet activation on Oct. 6. The upgrade would reduce target block spacing from 75 seconds to 25 seconds, disable version 4 transactions that can spend from the legacy Sprout pool, and retain Zcash's halving schedule while setting February 2031 for reissuance under its Network Sustainability Mechanism. Nearly 2.4 million eligible ZEC participated in the governance vote, with 99.9% backing faster blocks and 98.9% supporting continued halvings. ZEC traded above $1,500 on Sept. 18, rising about 11% in 24 hours to roughly $1,509-$1,513 and lifting its market capitalization to about $25.5 billion. Grayscale's Zcash exchange-traded product reported about $843 million in assets under management as of Sept. 17, while Paradigm co-founder Matt Huang publicly disclosed investments in ZEC and Zcash Open Development Lab without revealing their size. The upgrade timetable, ETF flows and ZEC's price remain subject to technical, market and regulatory risks.