Why did the price of ZEC go up?
Zcash (ZEC) jumped 31.37% in 24 hours to $171.95, fueled by growing interest from big investors, positive market signals, and renewed focus on privacy features.
- Institutional Interest: Grayscale’s Zcash Trust gave large investors easier access.
- Social Buzz: Mentions of ZEC on social media soared by 1,000%, with endorsements from well-known figures.
- Strong Market Signals: Technical indicators like RSI (75.5) and MACD show strong upward momentum.
In-Depth Look
1. Institutional Demand & Influencer Support (Positive for Price)
Summary: Grayscale’s Zcash Trust now allows accredited investors to gain exposure to ZEC without owning it directly (Decrypt). Influential voices like Naval Ravikant have called ZEC “insurance against Bitcoin,” while Mert Mumtaz, CEO of Helius Labs, praised its privacy technology.
What this means: Big investors and thought leaders are positioning ZEC as a way to protect privacy compared to Bitcoin’s transparent ledger. This has attracted more capital and increased social media attention, driving retail investors’ fear of missing out (FOMO).
What to watch: Growth in Grayscale’s ZEC holdings and whether other institutional products follow suit.
2. Market Momentum & Short Squeeze (Positive for Price)
Summary: ZEC surpassed the $152.37 resistance level (based on Fibonacci retracement), with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 75.53, indicating strong buying pressure. The MACD indicator also confirms a bullish trend.
What this means: This price breakout triggered automated buying and forced traders betting against ZEC to cover their positions, liquidating over $2 million in shorts (source: CoinGlass). Trading volume jumped 71% to $718 million, supporting the price rise.
What to watch: If ZEC closes above $184.86 (recent high), it could aim for $222.30, the next Fibonacci extension level.
3. Renewed Interest in Privacy Features (Mixed Outlook)
Summary: Concerns about central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and increased surveillance have brought attention back to ZEC’s privacy-focused shielded transactions. Collaborations like the one with NymVPN add practical uses for its privacy tech.
What this means: While this boosts short-term interest, privacy coins like ZEC face regulatory challenges. Currently, only about 20% of ZEC’s supply uses shielded transactions, limiting its privacy benefits for now.
Conclusion
Zcash’s recent price surge is driven by institutional interest, strong market momentum, and growing privacy concerns. However, its long-term success depends on wider adoption of its shielded features and how regulators respond. Key point to watch: Can ZEC maintain support above the $152.37 Fibonacci level as some investors take profits?
What could affect the price of ZEC?
Zcash’s price could benefit from growing interest in privacy and technology upgrades, but it also faces challenges from regulatory uncertainty.
- Institutional Interest – Increased investments through Grayscale Trust and talks of ETFs
- Privacy Technology Improvements – Upgrades like Sapling and Tachyon to boost performance
- Exchange Listings – Possible additions on platforms like Robinhood and Binance.US
- Regulatory Challenges – Risks of privacy coin delistings, influenced by cases like Tornado Cash
- Market Sentiment – Overbought signals balanced by positive momentum indicators
In-Depth Analysis
1. Institutional Interest & Regulatory Environment (Mixed Effects)
Overview:
Zcash (ZEC) saw a 140% price jump in October 2025 after Grayscale reopened its Zcash Trust (Decrypt). The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has shown a slightly more relaxed approach toward privacy technologies following the Tornado Cash case, which is cautiously encouraging. However, about 35% of cryptocurrency exchanges, including Kraken, still limit or ban privacy coins.
What this means:
Investments from institutional players like Grayscale can help stabilize ZEC’s price over time. But sudden removal from exchanges, as happened with Bittrex in 2023, could cause liquidity problems. Zcash’s future depends on finding a balance between meeting regulatory requirements and maintaining its privacy features.
2. Technology Upgrades & Adoption (Positive Outlook)
Overview:
The Sapling upgrade in October 2025 cut transaction fees for shielded (private) transactions by 90%, leading to a 15% monthly increase in shielded ZEC holdings, now at 3.06 million coins. Integration with the NEAR blockchain allows cross-chain swaps, and the Zashi wallet is seeing $9.5 million in monthly transaction volume, showing growing retail use (Electric Coin Co).
What this means:
These improvements make Zcash easier and cheaper to use, which could attract decentralized finance (DeFi) projects and payment services like Flexa’s point-of-sale system. However, Zcash still needs to catch up to competitors like Monero, which has 58% of its supply in shielded transactions.
3. Market Trends & Sentiment (Neutral to Positive)
Overview:
ZEC’s 14-day Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 75.53, indicating it’s currently overbought. Yet, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) histogram shows a positive momentum (+8.3). The Fear & Greed Index stands at 58, suggesting a neutral market mood with potential for growth if Bitcoin maintains support around $120,000.
What this means:
A short-term price pullback to the $152 Fibonacci support level is possible, but the 200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA) at $52.33 provides a strong support level. The altcoin season index at 48 means Zcash needs a strong story or catalyst to break away from Bitcoin’s price movements.
Conclusion
Zcash’s success will depend on turning its privacy technology leadership into widespread real-world use while navigating regulatory challenges. Key events to watch include the November 2025 halving, which will reduce block rewards to 3.125 ZEC, and potential ETF filings in early 2026. The big question remains: can shielded transactions exceed 50% of ZEC’s total supply by 2026, solidifying its role as “digital cash”?
What are people saying about ZEC?
Zcash’s privacy features are gaining attention amid a sharp price surge. Here’s what’s driving the conversation:
- Big investors like Grayscale’s Zcash Trust pushing prices above $170
- Naval Ravikant calling Zcash an “insurance policy against Bitcoin”
- Technical charts showing a breakout from an 8-year downtrend, boosting trader confidence
- Community discussions on the tradeoff between privacy and ease of access on centralized exchanges (CEX)
- Growing regulatory concerns slowing down the bullish momentum
In-Depth Look
1. Institutional Interest Meets FOMO (Positive Signal)
“ZEC jumped 150% in a week to over $170 after Grayscale’s Trust purchased $46 million worth of ZEC — feels like Bitcoin’s early days in 2016 with real privacy adoption.”
– @LazybearOFC (source)
What this means: When big, regulated investment firms like Grayscale get involved, it helps reduce the stigma around Zcash while keeping its privacy features intact. This institutional backing signals growing confidence in Zcash’s future.
2. Technical Breakout Signals Mixed Outlook
“ZEC/USDT broke an 8-year downtrend on the charts — next target is $300 if it holds support at $161. But the RSI at 82 warns a pullback might be coming.”
– @criptofacil (source)
What this means: Traders see potential for a big price reversal, but some technical indicators suggest the market might be overheated and due for a short-term correction.
3. High Price Predictions Stir Debate
“The true value of ZEC could be $5.3 million per coin, based on 21 million supply and comparing it to gold’s $13 trillion market with a privacy premium.”
– @ThorTorrens (source)
What this means: While many dismiss this as unrealistic, it highlights Zcash’s limited supply and growing reputation as “digital gold 2.0” because of its privacy features.
Conclusion
The outlook on Zcash is optimistic but cautious. Its privacy technology and alignment with Bitcoin’s economic model are attracting investment, but the rapid 479% annual gains suggest volatility ahead. Keep an eye on the shielded pool ratio (currently 18.9% of total supply) as a measure of genuine adoption versus speculative trading. The key question: Will this rally be driven by real privacy use, or will it be dominated by short-term profit-taking?
What is the latest news about ZEC?
Zcash is experiencing a strong rally, reaching its highest levels in three years. This surge is driven by growing interest from institutional investors and support from influential voices highlighting its privacy technology. Here’s a quick summary of recent developments:
- Institutional Interest Grows (Oct 9, 2025) – Grayscale’s Zcash Trust becomes available to accredited investors.
- CEO Highlights Growth (Oct 7, 2025) – Electric Coin Co. reports $9.5 million in private transactions through the Zashi Wallet.
- Price Volatility (Oct 7, 2025) – ZEC’s price dropped 15% after reaching $176, causing $2 million in short position liquidations.
In-Depth Look
1. Institutional Interest Grows (October 9, 2025)
What happened:
Zcash’s price jumped 140% in just two weeks, hitting $170 — its highest since 2022. This boost came after Grayscale made its Zcash Trust available to accredited investors, making it easier for institutions to invest. Influencers like Naval Ravikant praised Zcash as a kind of “insurance against Bitcoin.” Social media mentions of Zcash surged by 1,000%, and private (shielded) transactions increased by 15.5% each month.
Why it matters:
Institutional products like Grayscale’s Trust help validate Zcash’s privacy features and open the door to more investors. However, trading volume is still relatively low compared to its market size, which means the price can swing sharply. (Decrypt)
2. CEO Highlights Growth (October 7, 2025)
What happened:
Josh Swihart, CEO of Electric Coin Co., said Zcash is at a “tipping point.” Since August, the Zashi Wallet on iOS has been installed over 12,000 times, with $9.5 million in private transactions completed. New features like unified addresses and Tachyon scaling are designed to make private transactions smoother and faster.
Why it matters:
More people using privacy tools shows that Zcash’s technology is gaining traction. However, most ZEC coins remain in transparent pools (about 80%), which limits privacy benefits. Continued development could help Zcash secure its position as a leading privacy-focused cryptocurrency. (Bitcoinist)
3. Price Volatility (October 7, 2025)
What happened:
After reaching a peak of $176, ZEC’s price fell 15% to $144, wiping out $270 million in market value. Data from CoinGlass shows $2 million in short positions were liquidated during this time, and open interest in ZEC derivatives rose 38% over the week to $19.3 million.
Why it matters:
This price drop is a typical correction after a rapid increase, as traders take profits. Despite this, derivatives traders remain optimistic, indicated by positive funding rates. The $120 price level will be important to watch as a potential support zone. (U.Today)
Conclusion
Zcash’s recent rise is fueled by its strong privacy features, which are increasingly valued amid growing concerns about surveillance. Institutional interest and technical improvements add to the positive outlook, but the market remains volatile. Regulatory attention on private transactions could pose challenges. As the broader altcoin market cools down after a strong October (“Uptober”), it remains to be seen if ZEC can keep up its momentum.
What is expected in the development of ZEC?
Zcash’s roadmap is focused on improving privacy, upgrading its technology, and growing its community. Here are the key upcoming events:
- Third Halving (November 2025) – Miner rewards will be cut in half to 1.5625 ZEC per block, changing how new coins enter circulation.
- Zebrad Node Migration (2026) – The network will switch from the old C++ software “zcashd” to a new Rust-based version called “zebrad” for better performance.
- Development Fund Renewal Vote (Q4 2025) – The community will decide how to fund future development after the current fund ends.
Deep Dive
1. Third Halving (November 2025)
Overview:
In November 2025, Zcash will undergo its third “halving,” which means miners will receive half the ZEC coins per block—1.5625 ZEC instead of double that. This is similar to Bitcoin’s approach to controlling supply, as only 21 million ZEC will ever be created. Past halvings in 2020 and 2023 caused price swings but helped reinforce Zcash’s limited supply.
What this means:
This event is generally positive for ZEC’s value. With fewer new coins entering the market, prices could rise if demand stays steady. However, miners might earn less, which could temporarily affect the network’s security. After the halving, more focus may be placed on encouraging private (shielded) transactions to reduce the pressure from miners selling their rewards (Bitrue).
2. Zebrad Node Migration (2026)
Overview:
The Electric Coin Company (ECC), which develops Zcash, plans to replace the current node software “zcashd” (written in C++) with “zebrad,” a new version built in Rust. This update aims to speed up syncing, make the system more modular, and enhance security. It supports Zcash’s goal of being a top privacy-focused blockchain (Yahoo Finance).
What this means:
This upgrade is a positive step for ZEC. Modern software can attract more developers and make the network stronger. However, switching software can cause temporary issues with compatibility and may lead to some community concerns about how changes are managed.
3. Development Fund Renewal Vote (Q4 2025)
Overview:
Currently, 20% of the block rewards go to a development fund that supports Zcash’s ongoing improvements. This funding setup ends in November 2025. The community is reviewing six different proposals on how to handle funding going forward, including continuing the current model or moving to decentralized funding through DAOs. Past funding decisions have greatly influenced how quickly Zcash can develop new features (CoinMarketCap).
What this means:
This vote is crucial and carries both risks and opportunities. A clear funding plan could speed up important upgrades like Tachyon scaling or FROST multisig security features. On the other hand, if the community can’t agree or funding is cut, development could slow down, making it harder for Zcash to compete with other privacy coins like Monero.
Conclusion
Zcash’s roadmap combines important technical updates with key governance decisions to strengthen its role as a leader in privacy-focused cryptocurrencies. While improvements like the Zebrad migration and growing use of shielded transactions (such as through the Maya Protocol) are promising, challenges remain from regulatory pressures and miner incentives after the halving.
Watch: Will more than half of ZEC’s circulating supply be held in shielded pools by 2026? This would be a strong sign that Zcash’s privacy-first vision is gaining real traction.
What updates are there in the ZEC code base?
Zcash’s development team is actively working on important network upgrades and updating its technology to keep things running smoothly and securely.
- NU6.1 Testnet Preparation (August 2025) – Finalized new rules for an upcoming upgrade that improves private (shielded) transactions.
- zcashd Software Retirement Plan (June 2025) – Starting to replace the old software with newer tools like Zebra nodes and the Zallet wallet, phasing out outdated methods.
- Orchard Balance Bug Fix (August 2025) – Fixed a problem where wallet balances didn’t update correctly when moving funds from private to public addresses.
Deep Dive
1. NU6.1 Testnet Preparation (August 2025)
What’s happening: Zcash is getting ready to launch Network Upgrade 6.1 on its test network. This upgrade includes changes that keep the system compatible with older versions while improving how private transactions work and how fees are calculated.
A key fix prevents the test network from rolling back if rules change during testing. To stay compatible with the main network, all users running nodes need to update their software by November 2025.
Why it matters: This is good news for Zcash (ZEC) because smoother upgrades mean fewer problems for exchanges and wallet providers. Users will also see more consistent transaction fees.
(Source)
2. zcashd Software Retirement Plan (June 2025)
What’s happening: The original Zcash node software, called zcashd, is being phased out. It’s being replaced by Zebra, a newer program written in Rust, along with the Zallet wallet.
Some older commands used by developers, like createrawtransaction and signrawtransaction, will no longer be supported. Also, support for Ubuntu 20.04 was dropped due to technical limitations.
Why it matters: This change is neutral for ZEC in the short term. While updating the technology will help Zcash grow and scale in the future, it might slow down some third-party apps and services during the transition.
(Source)
3. Orchard Balance Bug Fix (August 2025)
What’s happening: A bug was fixed that caused wallets to show incorrect balances when users moved funds from private (Orchard) addresses to public ones.
Before the fix, wallets didn’t properly update the visible balance, which could confuse users. A similar fix was made last year for other private transaction types called Sprout and Sapling.
Why it matters: This is positive for ZEC because accurate balance information builds trust in Zcash’s privacy features, which are a key reason people use it.
(Source)
Conclusion
Zcash is focusing on making its network stronger (NU6.1), updating its technology (moving to Zebra), and improving user experience (fixing balance bugs). With the NU6.1 upgrade coming soon, better developer tools could help more people use Zcash’s private transactions.