Zcash Foundation

🚨 No Arborist Call This Week - Next Call November 12th. This week’s Zcash Arborist Call, scheduled for Thursday, October 29th, is canceled. Many regular participants are participating at ZCON7. Calls will resume at the next regularly scheduled time: Thursday, November 12th. See you then!

🚨 Zebra 7.0.0 is out - NU7 comes to Mainnet. All Mainnet operators MUST upgrade before height 3,543,405 (~Nov 5) to stay on the consensus chain. 6.4.x stops itself days before activation. ⚡ 25-second blocks 🔁 Network Sustainability Mechanism 🛡️ 5 security advisories fixed 👇️ buff.ly/MXGjoar

ZF Engineering Update - Oct 6-19 🛠️ 🔧 Fixes for nodes stalling near the chain tip 📘 zcashd → Zebra RPC migration guide 🚦Faster, less network-dependent test suite ⚠️ Zebra 6.4.x and 7.0.0-rc.0 halt at Mainnet block 3,540,768 (~Nov 3). Zebra 7.0.0, due Oct 22, is required before then 👇️ buff.ly/NYTKnRB

Applications to attend Zcon7 are now closed! 🔒 Accepted attendees: check your inbox for “Everything you need to know about Zcon7” - your guide to arrival, check-in, and all the details before we see you in Cancún. 🌴

The Zcash Foundation Board of Directors has appointed David Campbell as Executive Director. Thank you, Alex Bornstein, for leading with a constant focus on bringing the Zcash ecosystem together. Welcome, David, a longtime member of this community. zfnd.org/zcash-founda...

Last call: applications for Zcon7 close tomorrow, end of day in your local time. Tuesday, October 20th is your final chance to swap forum threads for three days of face-to-face conversation with the Zcash community in Cancún. 🌴 📅 Oct 27–29, 2026 Register now! → zfnd.org/zcon7/

The recording of yesterday’s Zcash Arborist Call is live! These bi-weekly calls cover protocol deployment, consensus node implementation and protocol research. No call on Oct 29. The next one is Nov 12. Watch here 👇 youtu.be/3FKbc3N41Zw

Still on the fence about Zcon7? The fence has a deadline. ⏰️ Registration closes Tuesday, October 20th! Trade forum threads for face-to-face conversations with the Zcash community in Cancún. 🌴 📅 Oct 27–29, 2026 Register now! → zfnd.org/zcon7/

When you’ve been dying to talk about zero-knowledge proofs. 💀 Join us in Cancún for Zcon7, just before Halloween and Día de los Muertos. The transactions are private. The conversations are lively. 📅 Oct 27–29, 2026 Final spots → zfnd.org/zcon7/ ¡Vamos!

15 days until Zcon7 in Cancún. 🌴🌊 Three days of debates, workshops and conversations about Zcash’s future - with room to keep talking on the beach. 📆 Oct 27-29, 2026 Applications close soon. Grab one of the final spots → zfnd.org/zcon7/

🗣️ Three small-group conversations. Big questions, real next steps. 🚧 Day 1 - Ecosystem Barriers: what's holding Zcash back? 🔮 Day 2 - Zcash's Future: what could it become? 💡 Day 3 - Takeaways: leave with a commitment. 📅 Oct 27-29, 2026 · Cancún 🌴 ⏳️ Final spots → zfnd.org/zcon7/

🎉 Welcoming Joan De Arcayne to the team as our Technical Program Manager! zfnd.org/zcash-founda...

ZF Engineering Update - Sep 21 to Oct 5 🛠️ Four Zebra releases in two weeks: 🔐 6.4.0/6.4.1 - security fixes, light wallet serving, lower fees 🚨 6.4.2 - emergency fix for a remote crash ⚡️ 7.0.0-rc.0 - first NU7 release candidate, now live on Testnet Mainnet operators: run 6.4.2 👇️ buff.ly/zUzfZgH

🏛️ What should Zcash governance look like for the next decade? 🛠️ In this hands-on workshop with @alexisroussel.bsky.social and Jason McGee, small groups will build their own governance models from scratch and see how they'd hold up in the real world. 🎟️ A few places left - apply now→ zfnd.org/zcon7/

Zebra 7.0.0-rc.0 is here — NU7 arrives on Testnet 🦓 ⚡️ Blocks every 25 seconds instead of 75 🛡️ New shielded limits protect wallets from spam Activates on Testnet at height 4,465,026 (~Oct 6). Testnet operators should upgrade before then 👇️ zfnd.org/zebra-7-0-0-...

The recording of yesterday's Zcash Arborist Call is live! These bi-weekly protocol development meetings track upcoming protocol deployment logistics, consensus node implementation issues, and protocol research. Find the recording here 👉️ youtu.be/gJA1brRxnf4

(Update)🛡️ What technical threats should Zcash be preparing for? 🗣️ @daira.bsky.social, @defusesec.bsky.social, @zooko2.bsky.social, Dev Ojha & Arya on where Zcash's defenses stand and where more investment is needed. Moderated by Andrew Miller. 📆 Oct 27–29, 2026, Cancún Apply now: zfnd.org/zcon7/

🚨 Zebra 6.4.2 is an emergency security release. If you're running 6.4.0 or 6.4.1, upgrade now. Both are recalled and should not be run - any peer could crash a node with a single network message. 6.3.0 and earlier are not affected. Upgrade immediately 👇️ zfnd.org/zebra-6-4-2-...

Zebra 6.4.0 and 6.4.1 are out 🦓 🔐 Security fixes, including forged block bodies that could stall sync 💰️ ZIP 317 conventional fee lowered to 1,000 zatoshis per logical action ⛏️ Precomputed block templates for miners ⚠️ 6.4.1 halts ~Nov 2 ahead of NU7. Upgrade now 👇️https://buff.ly/cG5iUQU

ZF Engineering Update - Sep 7 to Sep 20 🛠️ ⛏ Block templates now built in the background, boosting miner performance 💰 Lower conventional fee supported: 1,000 zatoshis/logical action, down from 5,000 📚 The Zebra book is publishing again, now with a docs assistant Full update 👇 buff.ly/Fo5MaPK

🎙️ @zkavclub.bsky.social is bringing a recording station to Zcon7 - grab a mic and turn that corridor conversation into something the whole community can keep. 🔓️ "You bring the conversation. You own the content. We build the archive, together." 📅 Oct 27–29, 2026, Cancún Apply now → buff.ly/QXjrZb9

The recording of yesterday's Zcash Arborist Call is live! These bi-weekly protocol development meetings track upcoming protocol deployment logistics, consensus node implementation issues, and protocol research. Find the recording here 👉️ youtu.be/5Vgq0sXJ_Co

🧭 What is Zcash for? Everyday payments, a privacy-preserving store of value, or something else entirely? 💬 Kenbak, Dan Sequeira, @michae2xl.bsky.social, Andrew Arnott and Neal Jayu discuss the strategic visions shaping Zcash's future. 📅 Oct 27–29, 2026, Cancún 🌴 Register now → zfnd.org/zcon7/

👀 👕 First look at the Zcon7 SWAG. Want a shirt in your size? Register by the end of this week to guarantee it. Sizes are limited. Register now → zfnd.org/zcon7/

📊 ZCAP NU7 Scope Polling results are in! Find the full results here: zfnd.org/zcap-polling... 🛡️

⏰ Last chance, ZCAP members - the 'August ZCAP NU7' SIV poll closes Monday, Sept 14 at 19:00 UTC. Your voting link is in your email inbox 📧 Don't let it slip by! More info: buff.ly/1zYqviZ

💥 The Zcon7 program is live. We built this year differently: fewer presentations, more conversations. Debates, workshops, and small-group discussions on the questions that will shape Zcash. 🗣️ The future of Zcash is something we're coming together to make. Full program → buff.ly/cYuO4tn

⏳️ Less than 50 days until we're all in the same room again. 🗣️ Three days of debates, panels, workshops, and small-group conversations on the questions that will shape Zcash. Governance. The Dev Fund. ZSAs. What is Zcash for? Oct 27-29, 2026, Cancún 🌞 Apply now → buff.ly/WKv1Rff

ZF Engineering Update - Aug 24 to Sep 6 🛠️ 🔧 Fixed a sync stall just below the chain tip that had been failing our tests since NU6.3 🪶 Lighter memory use and faster wallet-facing queries ⚙️ Migrated from Mergify to GitHub's native merge queue Read full update: buff.ly/xZZ1hA4

Should the Dev Fund end in 2028? ⏳️ 🗣️ Maxime Desalle and @nutty.land go head to head on the future of Zcash ecosystem funding, moderated by Paul Brigner. Sparks expected at Zcon7. ⚡️ Oct 27-29, 2026, Cancún 🌞 Come be part of it - apply here: zfnd.org/zcon7/

🛠️ How do we bring the next 1,000 developers to Zcash? 🗣️ Dev Ojha, Dre, and Sam H. Smith on lowering barriers to entry, better tooling and docs, and creating real pathways for new contributors. Moderated by Shielded Mark. 📆 Oct 27–29, 2026, Cancún Apply now → zfnd.org/zcon7/

The recording of yesterday's Zcash Arborist Call is live! These bi-weekly protocol development meetings track upcoming protocol deployment logistics, consensus node implementation issues, and protocol research. Find the recording here 👉️ youtu.be/POkZ42EgXNQ

🔐 The Cypherpunk Manifesto is 30+ years old. Its ideas have never been more relevant. 🗣️ @frankbraun.bsky.social, Maxime Desalle & Za on being a cypherpunk today. Moderated by @socrates1024.bsky.social. 📍 Oct 27–29, 2026, Cancún Apply now → zfnd.org/zcon7/

⏰ ZCAP members: don't forget to vote in the 'August ZCAP NU7' SIV poll. Voting closes Monday, Sept 14 at 19:00 UTC. Voting instructions are in your email inbox 📧 ☝️ More info: forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zcap-poll-...

🚀 Ship faster or ship safer? Why not both. 🔐 Josh Swihart, shielded-nate.bsky.social and DC take on speed vs security at Zcon7, moderated by Anna Kaplan. 📅 Oct 27-29, 2026, Cancún Join the conversation in person → apply here: zfnd.org/zcon7/

⚔ Zcash Shielded Assets: yes or no? 🗣 Arya of the Zcash Foundation says yes. Tom Howard of CoinList says no. @danielbg26.bsky.social keeps the peace. Oct 27-29, 2026, Cancún 🌴 Come be part of it. Apply here: zfnd.org/zcon7/

🔥 Privacy is under attack. @evangreer.bsky.social is coming to Zcon7 to talk about fighting back. 🛡 Fight for the Future: Fight for Privacy. 🎤 📅 Oct 27-29, 2026, Cancún 🌴 Apply to join us in Cancún: zfnd.org/zcon7/

🗳️ Attention ZCAP members! The 'August ZCAP NU7' SIV poll is now open and ends Monday, September 14th at 19:00 UTC. Check your email inbox for instructions. ☝️ Please vote! General information available here: forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zcap-poll-...

🤖 What's actually working in AI-assisted development? ⚡️ 1337bytes and Gustavo will run an interactive workshop on practical AI workflows - research, benchmarking, UI design, end-to-end builds. Live build if time allows. 📍Oct 27–29, 2026, Cancún Apply here → zfnd.org/zcon7/

🔐 Privacy isn't a luxury. For many people it's a necessity. Mylo Bennett , Violet Rollergirl, @evangreer.bsky.social and Scott Onder on financial privacy and marginalized communities, moderated by Alex Bornstein. 🎤 📆 Oct 27–29, 2026, Cancún Don't miss it - apply today → zfnd.org/zcon7/

The recording of yesterday's Zcash Arborist Call is live! These bi-weekly protocol development meetings track upcoming protocol deployment logistics, consensus node implementation issues, and protocol research. youtu.be/doDbR0i9zZA

🦓 Zcon7 is here - ¡Vamos! Exciting news - we're beginning to announce the Zcon7 programme! Our Executive Director Alex Bornstein will welcome everyone to three days of Zcash research, building and debate 🗣️. 📍 Oct 27–29, 2026, Cancún Apply to join us → zfnd.org/zcon7/

ZF Engineering Update - July 27 to August 9 🛠️ 🌱 NU6.3 “Ironwood” is live on Mainnet 🔌 Peer connectivity hardening (v6.2.3) 📊 New connection lifecycle metrics for operators forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zf-enginee...

Zebra 6.3.0 is out, a recommended security release: 🔒 Four advisories fixed in block sync and peer scoring 🚫 Hardened inbound ban enforcement 🛠️ New getdeprecationinfo RPC 🌐 New default DNS seeders 📊 More granular network metrics All operators are encouraged to upgrade. buff.ly/FcRZzjR

The recording of yesterday's Zcash Arborist Call is live! These bi-weekly protocol development meetings track upcoming protocol deployment logistics, consensus node implementation issues, and protocol research. youtu.be/T93KAOy7GJs

We are committed to transparency and openness with the Zcash community and our other stakeholders. Today, we are releasing our Q2 2026 report, which provides an overview of the work undertaken by our engineering team, as well as an overview of other activities during this period. buff.ly/nJBtUH4

ZF Engineering Update - July 13–26 🛠️ 🦓 Four Zebra releases in two weeks (v6.1.0–v6.2.2) 🔐 Several security fixes across releases 💡 Built-in lightwalletd-compatible gRPC server in progress And NU6.3 Ironwood activated on July 28th 🌱 forum.zcashcommunity.com/t/zf-enginee...

Zebra 6.2.3 is out 🦓 An optional release focused on peer connectivity hardening - recommended if you've seen peer set issues, or want to stay ahead of them. 🔌 Outbound slots no longer fill with non-serving peers during sync 🔄 Dropped connections now replaced proactively zfnd.org/zebra-6-2-3-...

The recording of yesterday's Zcash Arborist Call is live! These bi-weekly protocol development meetings track upcoming protocol deployment logistics, consensus node implementation issues, and protocol research. youtu.be/mHpMkEk6GGI

Zebra 6.2.1 is out 🦓 🔐Two security hardening improvements (chain synchronization + mempool verification) No resync needed. All operators encouraged to upgrade 👇 zfnd.org/zebra-6-2-1-...