The Zcash Arborist Calls are bi-weekly protocol development meetings focused on tracking upcoming protocol deployment logistics, consensus node implementation issues, and protocol research.
This summary focuses on the last call that took place on 08/7/2025
Been watching Zebra evolve since the early days ,latest Arborist Call shows solid progress:
2.4.0 → 2.4.1 (rolled back) → 2.4.2.
2.5.0 on its way
CI stable + major refactor ahead
speak now if you’ve got feedback
Address validation bug squashed
Next up for Zebra:
NU6.1 support + activation headers on testnet
Joint ECC testing wrapped
Python framework <> Zebra integration back on track next week
Steady work on ZIP-213
The works behind Zcash privacy keeps getting sharper.
- zcashd 6.3.0 shipped w/ NU6.1 testnet support Coordinated P2SH multisig activation w/ ZF & Shielded Labs
- Major librustzcash crate releases (protocol → keys) Zallet CLI wallet alpha in the works
- NSM merged into librustzcash (feature-flagged) Keystone HW wallet P2SH multisig integration coming.
On the horizon:
NU7 prep , ZIP-233
Community PRs: Coinbase tx in builder, full-wallet send for Zashi swaps
PCZT-1 ZIP draft + v2 spec (FROST + v6 tx support)
Quantum-resilient Orchard keys proposal
New ECC core team member: Schell joins the crew
Zaino RESPEC work nearly done
Crosslink primitives now first-class
Zallet+Zaino Daemon integration underway
Lightwallet-G replacement due before next Arborist Call.
New chain index API will streamline Zallet & distinguish finalized vs non-finalized states.
Z3 stack prep is heating up Zallet will be the most visible piece. Coordination in motion:
ZF handling dockerization
ECC + ZF + Zingo engineers syncing frequently
Alpha rollout will start small & controlled for focused feedback before widening
NSM update: librustzcash PR merged:
Addressing final comments on Zcash test vectors next week (post-vacation).
Once done, ZIP-233 integration will be complete → PRs for ZIP-234 & ZIP-235 to follow.
Crosslink Milestone Demo shows automated tests catching multiple assertion failures without halting, visualizer replaying chain states, and bi-directional crosslinks. Proof-of-authority target for milestone completion by month’s end, workshop on Aug 27.
Design focus: prototyping toward a functional PoS testnet by year end. Current phase prioritizes speed over mainnet compatibility,documenting tradeoffs in an architecture log. Goal: functional staking, delegation, and BFT finalization in a controlled testnet environment.
PoS rewards prototype: simplification,equal issuance to all roster finalizers & delegators regardless of uptime. No slashing/penalties in prototype. Will evaluate if this minimalist model can sustain liveness before adding complex performance based rules.
Resources:
Crosslink Architectural Decisions Log
Zcash Crosslink Architectural Decisions Log
Design choices and constraints related to PoS accounting and rewards
