Zcash has launched a new full node, Zakura, which aims to scale the network to handle 50,000 transactions per second, comparable to major payment processors like Visa and Mastercard. The launch occurred on Wednesday as part of a broader initiative to improve Zcash's transaction capacity and privacy features.
Project Overview
The Zakura client is a pruned, fast-syncing fork of the existing Zebra software and is designed to be compatible with the legacy zcashd client. This new software is the first step in a multi-faceted effort that includes Project Tachyon and research into private information retrieval. The goal is to enhance Zcash's performance by reducing verification data and eliminating wallet performance bottlenecks.
Upcoming Upgrades
Zakura will support the Ironwood (NU6.3) upgrade set to activate on July 28. This upgrade will introduce a turnstile mechanism to manage withdrawals from the Orchard shielded pool, addressing a long-standing soundness bug that could allow counterfeit ZEC to be created. Sean Bowe, a founding member of Zcash's zero-knowledge cryptography, and Dev Ojha, cofounder of Osmosis, are leading the development of Zakura, which is funded by private ZEC donations rather than corporate or foundation backing. According to a blog post,
Our dream is to support the world's payments. Mastercard and Visa handle more than 50k transactions per second; that's our floor.
The launch of Zakura could influence the cryptocurrency market by enhancing Zcash's competitiveness against other digital currencies and traditional payment systems. Increased transaction capacity may attract more users and investors, potentially impacting ZEC's market value. Investors will watch for the activation of the Ironwood upgrade on July 28, which will further enhance Zcash's functionality.