On May 27, 2025, Horizen officially released ZEN 5.0.7, the latest update to its node software, marking a critical step for all Mainnet and Testnet infrastructure providers. At NOWNodes, we’ve already rolled out the update across our entire Horizen node infrastructure. For developers, that means no downtime, no manual intervention, and seamless continued access to Horizen’s decentralized network.

But ZEN 5.0.7 is just one piece of a much larger evolution: Horizen is preparing to migrate to Base, Coinbase’s Ethereum Layer 2, to become an appchain optimized for privacy and scalability. Here’s what that means for the network - and for those building on it.

What’s New in ZEN 5.0.7?

ZEN 5.0.7 is a maintenance-focused upgrade aimed at continuing network stability and preparing infrastructure for Horizen’s long-term roadmap. While this release does not activate a hard fork, it is mandatory, as version 5.0.6 will no longer be accepted by the network after the deprecation block height.

Key Technical Highlights:

• New binaries available for Linux and Windows (macOS builds require manual compilation)

• Unsigned binaries for Windows, with CLI usage instructions included

• Stability improvements and deprecation height extensions

• No breaking changes, making the upgrade smooth for infrastructure operators

For developers and projects running full nodes, it’s crucial to make this upgrade before the deprecation block - but if you’re using NOWNodes, you’re already covered.

Horizen’s Next Era: Migrating to Base as a Privacy-First Appchain

Beyond the node upgrade, Horizen has also announced a pivotal shift in its architecture. The network is migrating from its custom Substrate-based design to Base, Coinbase’s Layer 2 built on the Optimism OP Stack.

Horizen will operate as a modular Layer 3 appchain, focused on privacy-preserving applications, integrated into the Ethereum Superchain - a growing ecosystem of interconnected chains sharing security, liquidity, and interoperability.

Why Base?

Base is quickly becoming a leading platform for scalable dApps, with advantages that align perfectly with Horizen’s vision:

• Optimism-Powered Performance: Base is built on the OP Stack, with sub-second transaction finality and fees below $0.01

• EVM Compatibility: Developers can use existing Ethereum tools and smart contracts out of the box

• Coinbase Ecosystem Access: Deep liquidity, institutional trust, and compliance-ready infrastructure

• Superchain Interoperability: Horizen will be natively interoperable with other Base appchains and L2s

• Privacy at Scale: Horizen will continue its mission of enabling privacy-preserving apps, now with better performance

• Cost Efficiency: Moving away from a custom Layer 1 lowers development and maintenance costs

This transition will allow Horizen to focus on what it does best - privacy technology - while leveraging Base’s infrastructure for scalability and security.

What This Means for Developers

The Horizen + Base integration is a game-changer for developers:

• Instant Access to Scalable Infra: No need to maintain custom nodes - Base handles consensus, data availability, and finality

• ZK-Friendly Architecture: Horizen can now implement advanced zero-knowledge features on top of a high-throughput platform

• Better Developer Experience: Use the EVM, Solidity, and Ethereum dev tools with fewer limitations

• Access to DeFi Ecosystem: Horizen-based tokens and apps can tap into Base’s deep liquidity and active DeFi protocols

• Faster Iteration: Launch, test, and scale dApps faster than ever before

For projects that prioritize privacy, scalability, and composability, Horizen’s move positions it as one of the most developer-friendly chains in the privacy space.

NOWNodes: Already Upgraded and Ready for What’s Next

At NOWNodes, we act fast - and this upgrade was no exception. We’ve successfully deployed ZEN 5.0.7 across all our Horizen Mainnet nodes, giving developers instant access via reliable, high-availability endpoints.

Final Thoughts

ZEN 5.0.7 ensures Horizen stays stable and secure. But the real story is what comes next.

Horizen’s migration to Base is a bold step toward a modular, scalable, and interoperable blockchain future - one that unlocks developer productivity, reduces infrastructure complexity, and brings privacy tools to a new generation of applications.

At NOWNodes, we’re not just keeping up - we’re building ahead. With full support for ZEN 5.0.7 and a future-ready architecture, we’re here to help you build on the new Horizen. Stay tuned for more updates as the Base integration evolves. The future of privacy onchain starts now.