Zano is overhauling its blockchain consensus mechanism. The project announced it will replace its current hybrid proof-of-work and proof-of-stake system with Zenith, a privacy-preserving pure proof-of-stake protocol. The transition is targeted for 2027, pending testing.
Why the shift to pure proof-of-stake
Zano's existing hybrid model combines proof-of-work mining with proof-of-stake validation. The new Zenith protocol strips out the proof-of-work component entirely. That means no more mining. Instead, validators will secure the network by staking tokens, and the system is designed to keep transaction data private.
Privacy is a core selling point. Zenith is being built as a privacy-preserving protocol from the ground up, not as an afterthought. The team says the change will also address efficiency and speed.
What Zenith promises
Zenith targets 15-second block times. That's a significant jump from the current hybrid chain's confirmation speed. Faster blocks mean quicker transaction finality for users and applications built on Zano.
The new protocol also aims for lower token issuance. Fewer new tokens entering circulation could affect inflation dynamics, though the exact issuance rate hasn't been detailed yet. The combination of faster blocks and reduced supply is meant to make the network more attractive for payments and privacy-focused use cases.
Timeline and next steps
Zano is currently implementing Zenith. The code is being written and tested now. The network transition is set for 2027, but that date is conditional. The team says it's subject to testing — if the protocol isn't ready, the deadline could slip.
No testnet launch date has been announced yet. The project will likely release more details as development progresses. For now, the existing hybrid chain continues to run.
The 2027 target gives the team a few years to build, audit, and test the new consensus layer. Whether they hit that date depends on how the implementation phase goes.
