Gemini Switches Zcash Node Software to Zec.rocks Ahead of NU7 Upgrade

U.S. cryptocurrency exchange Gemini has replaced the software it uses to run Zcash nodes ahead of the network’s planned reduction in block times.

CoinDesk reported on September 30 that Gemini recently switched its node software for tracking the Zcash network and verifying transactions to Zec.rocks from Zebra.

Gemini said Zec.rocks synchronized with the latest block on the Zcash network in about six hours. The same process took about one day with Zebra.

Zec.rocks also provides a stored copy of recent network data. That allows node operators to bring backup nodes online using saved data rather than downloading Zcash’s entire transaction history from the beginning. In Gemini’s tests, the method was about 680 times faster than the standard synchronization process.

The software change appears to be a step to prepare for Zcash’s next upgrade, NU7. Under the upgrade, Zcash plans to cut block times to 25 seconds from 75 seconds.

Once the upgrade is implemented, nodes will need to validate blocks three times as often as they do now. Zcash developers plan to deploy NU7 to the Zcash testnet in early October.

Cryptocurrency exchanges run their own nodes for each blockchain they list. When a user sends Zcash to Gemini, the exchange’s node must confirm and verify the transaction on the network before the balance is credited to the user’s account.