Zcash price jumps 62% ahead of vote on issuance and block speed changes

Zcash holders face deadline to qualify for key vote

Zcash (ZEC), a cryptocurrency focused on privacy, has risen about 62% in the past week to around $830. The price jump comes as holders prepare to vote on major changes to how new ZEC coins are issued and how quickly the network processes transactions.

A snapshot today will determine which holders can participate in the vote. To qualify, holders must have spendable shielded ZEC in the Ironwood wallet when the blockchain reaches block 3,459,350. The snapshot is expected around 19:00 UTC, but the exact time depends on when the block is mined. Funds can be moved immediately after the snapshot.

What Zcash holders will vote on

• Whether to replace Zcash’s current halving model with a smoother, gradual issuance curve. The total supply cap of ZEC would not change.
• When to start recycling ZEC removed from circulation back into block rewards. Options include as soon as possible, February 2027, or February 2031.
• Whether to reduce the target block time from 75 seconds to 25 seconds, which would triple the number of blocks produced daily without changing long-term issuance.
• When to disable transactions tied to the older Sprout pool.
• Whether the next network upgrade (NU7) should launch on time even if some features are not ready, or be delayed until all changes are complete.

How the vote works

The vote will run from August 25 to September 14 at 19:00 UTC. Organizers, Valar Group and Project Tachyon, will consider the results representative if at least 1 million ZEC participates in at least one of the five questions, including abstentions.

The vote is advisory, meaning approved changes will still need to be developed and deployed before becoming part of Zcash’s rules. The snapshot today is the last chance for holders to qualify to vote.

What is confirmed

• Zcash’s price has risen about 62% over the past week, reaching around $830.
• A snapshot to determine voting eligibility will occur at block 3,459,350, expected around 19:00 UTC on August 24.
• Voting will take place from August 25 to September 14.
• The vote includes five questions about issuance, block speed, and the next network upgrade.
• The vote is advisory and does not automatically change Zcash’s rules.

What is still unclear

• Whether the vote will reach the 1 million ZEC participation threshold.
• If approved, when the changes would be developed and deployed.
• How the market will react to the vote results or potential changes.

Why this vote matters for Zcash

The vote could reshape how new ZEC enters circulation and how quickly the network processes transactions. If approved, the changes would smooth out issuance, speed up block production, and set a timeline for future upgrades. These changes could affect how Zcash works for users and miners.

Sources

• CryptoSlate