Crypto exchange Gemini has upgraded its Zcash software to prepare for a planned upgrade that would reduce block times from 75 seconds to 25 seconds. The switch comes ahead of the planned NU7 upgrade, which would require network computers to process transactions three times as often. Gemini now uses Zakura, a program that follows Zcash and checks its transaction history. The exchange said Zakura caught up with the latest block in a little over six hours during its deployments, a significant improvement over the previous Zebra program, which took close to a day. Zakura's developers also provided a saved copy of recent network data that can bring a replacement computer online without downloading Zcash's history from the beginning, which was about 680 times faster than a standard sync. The Winklevoss family, who control Gemini, have significant interests in Zcash beyond the exchange.
The upgrade is part of a broader effort to improve the efficiency and speed of the Zcash network. The NU7 upgrade is scheduled for Nov. 5, though Gemini has not published tests showing how Zakura performs under the faster schedule.
Their investment firm led a $59 million financing of Cypherpunk Technologies, a publicly traded company that develops blockchain-based financial products.