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Zcash’s NU6.3 upgrade, called Ironwood, is already active: it took effect on mainnet on July 28, 2026, at block height 3,428,143. Whether your wallet still works depends on whether its software supports the new pool and the scanning, sending, and migration tasks you need. Orchard holders should review their wallet’s migration instructions and privacy disclosures before moving funds; users running zcashd need to move to a supported path because zcashd does not support NU6.3.
What changed in the NU6.3 upgrade?
NU6.3 introduced Ironwood, a new shielded value pool. The Zcash upgrade guide describes it as a pool designed to strengthen security and make the integrity of circulating supply independently verifiable. The upgrade also changes how Orchard can be used: under the new consensus rules, new value cannot enter Orchard, and ordinary payments within Orchard are restricted. Value leaving Orchard passes through the turnstile into Ironwood.
Ironwood is not simply a new address format. ZIP 229 specifies version 6 transactions that can carry an Ironwood component. Transaction versions 4, 5, and 6 remain valid after activation, but they must still satisfy NU6.3’s updated consensus rules. A transaction format remaining valid does not mean an older wallet or node can correctly create, scan, or validate every transaction under the new rules.
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There is no reliable universal yes or no: compatibility is a software capability, not just a question of whether an address looks familiar. Depending on how you use the wallet, it may need to scan Ironwood activity, receive Ironwood funds, construct transactions under the new rules, or guide an Orchard-to-Ironwood migration. The Zcash upgrade guide advises users to update their Zcash apps and software.
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Check the release notes or support documentation for the specific wallet you use before sending funds. Confirm that it supports the action you intend to take—receiving, spending, or migrating—rather than relying on a general statement that it supports Zcash. ZIP 326 describes wallet implications, but a wallet specification does not establish that every app has implemented those features.
Do I need a new address?
NU6.3 does not change the Orchard-protocol address structure. ZIP 326 says a receiver exposed before the upgrade can receive Ironwood funds after activation, if the sender and receiver software support the relevant behavior. That does not guarantee the receiving app can scan for, display, or manage those funds. Check the wallet’s current instructions before using an existing address for a transaction involving Ironwood.
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What happens to my Orchard funds?
The upgrade changes Orchard’s role as a destination for new value, but it does not mean Orchard holdings must be moved using a single universal schedule. Wallet migration guidance in draft ZIP 318 calls for the wallet to identify the Orchard-specific balance at risk, explain the privacy implications, and obtain user consent before funds leave Orchard. Follow the flow provided by your wallet and read its disclosure before confirming a transfer.
Moving value between pools publicly reveals the amount that crosses between them. The wallet guidance describes two approaches, but scheduling controls and implementation details depend on the wallet:
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| Approach | Timing | Privacy implications | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate transfer | Transfers funds promptly in a single action. | The specification characterizes this as offering minimal privacy; the pool-crossing amount is public. | Review the amount and the wallet’s consent prompt before approving. |
| Scheduled or background migration | Moves funds over a schedule rather than all at once. | Designed to make transfers harder to correlate, but does not conceal pool-crossing amounts. | Review the proposed schedule and confirm that the wallet supports the process you want. |
These are wallet-specification recommendations, not proof that every wallet offers both methods or implements them identically. ZIP 318’s reviewed version is marked as a draft.
Does “quantum recoverable” mean I can recover a lost wallet?
No. ZIP 2005 describes Ironwood-pool notes as recoverable under the protocol’s specified design, while Sapling- and Orchard-pool notes are not. That protocol property is not a promise that a user can regain access after losing keys, restore a wallet account, or recover funds without the necessary credentials. The upgrade guide connects Ironwood with supply-integrity verification; it does not describe a personal lost-key recovery service.
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I run zcashd. What should I do?
The official zcashd deprecation guidance says zcashd reached end of life and does not support NU6.3. It distinguishes the next step by whether you need zcashd’s wallet functionality:
| Your need | Officially indicated path | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| You need a node, but not the zcashd wallet | Use Zebra. | Follow current official software guidance for setup and operation. |
| You depend on the zcashd wallet | Test migrating wallet.dat to Zallet. | Consult current official migration documentation and safeguards; suitability and steps for an individual wallet file are not established here. |
Are older transactions or nodes still compatible?
These are separate questions. ZIP 229 keeps transaction versions 4, 5, and 6 valid under NU6.3, subject to the new consensus rules. That does not establish that an older node will continue to follow the current network: node compatibility depends on the software’s support for the active consensus rules. Use current official node guidance rather than inferring node support from the validity of older transaction versions.
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Is NU6.3 still the latest Zcash upgrade?
As of October 4, 2026, the Zcash ZIP index identifies NU6.3 as the most recent settled mainnet upgrade. The index lists NU7 as planned, not activated. Upgrade status can change, so check the current index for later network changes.
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