Tezos has successfully implemented its 17th protocol upgrade, Quebec, marking another milestone in the blockchain’s evolution.

The upgrade introduces faster transaction speeds, improved staking mechanics, and refinements to token issuance, all aimed at enhancing the blockchain’s functionality and sustainability.

Developed by teams at Nomadic Labs, Trilitech, and Functori, the Quebec upgrade was approved through Tezos’ on-chain governance system, according to a press released shared with crypto.news. 

One of the key changes in the Quebec upgrade is the reduction of block time from 10 seconds to 8 seconds. This allows transactions to reach finality in just 16 seconds, making Tezos (XTZ) a strong candidate for applications where speed is essential, such as payments and gaming.

Importantly, these performance improvements do not increase hardware requirements, allowing validators, known as bakers, to continue participating in the network using affordable infrastructure.

Tezos staking

The upgrade also brings changes to Tezos’ staking system. 

Staking, which allows users to lock up tokens to secure the network and earn rewards, has been made more accessible. With the Quebec upgrade, bakers can now accept external stakes up to nine times their own stake—an increase from the previous limit of five. This adjustment strengthens network security by making staking more attractive to participants.

Additionally, Quebec refines Tezos’ Adaptive Issuance mechanism, which was introduced in a prior update. The improved system better balances staking rewards with inflation control. Active participants in staking now earn three times the yield compared to delegators, up from the previous ratio of two times.