Zcash Developers Recommend Upgrading Nodes to Ironwood Fork

cryptonews.ruPublicado em 2026-07-27Última atualização em 2026-07-27

Resumo

The Zcash Foundation has released Zebra 6.0.0 and recommends all node operators upgrade to the Ironwood fork. This update introduces a new shielded pool and version 6 transaction format. The change was prompted by a vulnerability discovered in the old Orchard pool that could have allowed an attacker to create counterfeit $ZEC undetected. Developers patched the vulnerability in June, finding no evidence of exploitation, though Zcash's privacy architecture prevents absolute certainty. Ironwood utilizes the Orchard action structure and Halo2 proof system. It adds a separate note commitment tree, a nullifier set, a network value pool, and network history data. After activation, nodes can track the new pool independently from Orchard. Zebra also updates node commands for operators to verify pool and commitment tree states. This upgrade is critical, as older software will not follow the correct chain post-activation. Ironwood's key protection mechanism is a "turnstile" between the Orchard and new pools. Once activated, Orchard will stop accepting new outputs and internal transfers. Funds can be withdrawn, but an accounting rule prevents withdrawing more $ZEC from Orchard than was legitimately deposited. This design allows public auditing of the circulating supply without revealing private balances or transaction details, with any excess capital becoming locked inside Orchard. Zcash had scheduled this hardfork for July 28 after developers confirmed the patched bug raised inflation...

The Zcash Foundation developers have released Zebra 6.0.0 and recommended all node operators upgrade to the fork. The update includes a new shielded pool and transaction format v6.

Its release is related to a vulnerability discovered in the old Orchard pool, which could have allowed an attacker to covertly create counterfeit $ZEC.

The developers addressed the vulnerability with emergency patches in June. At the same time, they did not find any evidence of the vulnerability being exploited, but Zcash's privacy architecture does not allow them to state this with complete certainty.

According to the Zebra 6.0.0 release notes, Ironwood uses the Orchard action structure and the Halo2 proof system. It also adds a separate note commitment tree, a set of nullifiers, a network value pool, and network history data. Once activated, these records allow nodes to track the new pool independently of Orchard.

Zebra also updates several node commands so operators can check the state of the pool and the commitment tree. On GitHub, this update is marked as critical for operators because the old software will not follow the correct network after the activation height is reached.

The primary supply protection mechanism of Ironwood is a kind of "turnstile" between Orchard and the new pool. After activation, Orchard will stop accepting new outputs and internal transfers. Funds can be withdrawn, but a value accounting rule prevents withdrawing more $ZEC from Orchard than was legitimately added to it.

The Ironwood design description notes that this mechanism provides users with public oversight over the circulating supply without revealing private balances or transaction details. After withdrawals, any excess capital will remain locked inside Orchard.

As Happy Coin News previously reported, Zcash scheduled the hard fork for July 28 after developers confirmed the fixed bug raised doubts about supply inflation.

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Perguntas relacionadas

QWhy did the developers of Zcash release Zebra 6.0.0?

AThe developers of Zcash Foundation released Zebra 6.0.0 to address a vulnerability in the old Orchard pool that could have allowed an attacker to create counterfeit $ZEC, and to prepare for the Ironwood fork which introduces a new secure pool and v6 transaction format.

QWhat is the main security mechanism introduced by the Ironwood fork?

AThe main security mechanism introduced by the Ironwood fork is a 'turnstile' between the old Orchard pool and the new secure pool. After activation, Orchard will stop accepting new outputs and shielded transactions, and funds can only be withdrawn up to the amount legitimately deposited, preventing the creation of counterfeit coins.

QWhat does the Zebra 6.0.0 update enable node operators to do?

AThe Zebra 6.0.0 update enables node operators to check the state of the new secure pool and the commitment tree, ensuring they can track the new pool independently of the old Orchard pool.

QWhat key technology does the Ironwood fork utilize?

AThe Ironwood fork utilizes the Orchard action structure and the Halo2 proof system. It also adds a separate spending commitment tree, a set of nullifiers, a network value pool, and network history data.

QWhen is the Zcash hard fork scheduled to occur?

AAccording to the article, the Zcash hard fork is scheduled for July 28.

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