Why did the price of ZEC go up?

Zcash (ZEC) increased by 3.29% in the past 24 hours, reaching $225.09 after recovering from a 14.7% drop over the past week. This rebound aligns with positive technical signals and renewed interest in privacy features.

1. Technical Rebound – ZEC bounced back above its 20-day exponential moving average (EMA) at $187.75, with the Stochastic RSI moving out of oversold territory.
2. Derivatives Activity – The Long/Short Ratio of 1.3 and Open Interest of $170.6 million indicate bullish leverage in the market.
3. Privacy Narrative – Upgrades like zk-SNARK improvements and growing institutional interest are driving demand.

Deep Dive

1. Technical Rebound (Positive Signal)

Zcash recovered about 15% from its 20-day EMA, a key support level that has held since mid-October. The Stochastic RSI, a momentum indicator, moved out of oversold levels, signaling that selling pressure is easing (AMBCrypto).

What this means: Traders likely saw the recent dip as a buying opportunity. The 14-day RSI at 62.49 is neutral, suggesting there’s still room for the price to rise before becoming overbought. There is significant liquidity around $300, with about 1.49 million ZEC in leveraged positions, which could attract price movement toward that level.

What to watch: Look for ZEC to close consistently above $219.77, a pivot point that would confirm continued bullish momentum.

2. Derivatives Fueling Momentum (Mixed Impact)

Open Interest—the total value of outstanding derivative contracts—rose to $170.6 million, and the Long/Short Ratio reached 1.3, showing that leveraged long positions currently dominate after a bearish phase (Coinalyze).

What this means: While high leverage can boost gains, it also increases the risk of forced liquidations if the price moves against traders. Short positions clustered near $210 suggest potential volatility; if ZEC breaks above this level, it could trigger a short squeeze. However, rallies driven mainly by derivatives may not last without strong support from actual buying in the spot market.

What to watch: Monitor spot trading volume, which is currently $387 million but down 22% year-over-year, to gauge genuine demand.

3. Privacy Technology & Institutional Adoption (Positive Signal)

Zcash’s recent upgrades, including Halo 2 and cross-chain privacy tools like Zashi CrossPay, have boosted shielded (private) transactions. Institutional interest is growing, with Grayscale’s Zcash Trust holding $92 million in assets and endorsements from influential figures like Naval Ravikant, who called Zcash “insurance against Bitcoin” (Bitrue).

What this means: Privacy-focused cryptocurrencies are gaining attention amid increasing concerns about surveillance. ZEC’s 361% rally over the past 30 days reflects this trend, though regulatory uncertainties remain.

What to watch: Track adoption metrics such as the shielded pool size, which reached 3.06 million ZEC as of May 2025, and stay informed on regulatory developments.

Conclusion

Zcash’s recent rebound is supported by strong technical signals, active derivatives trading, and renewed interest in privacy features. While leverage can amplify short-term gains, lasting growth depends on real demand and wider adoption of private transactions. The key levels to watch are whether ZEC can hold above $210 and challenge the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement at $238.11, especially as market sentiment remains cautious (CMC Fear & Greed Index at 27).

What could affect the price of ZEC?

Zcash’s (ZEC) price depends largely on how widely its technology is adopted, changes in regulations, and overall market trends.

1. Growth in Private Transactions – More users are choosing ZEC’s private transaction features, which could strengthen its position as a leading privacy coin (AMBCrypto)
2. Halving and Supply Changes – In November 2025, the block rewards miners receive will be cut in half, and new mining hardware may reduce supply further.
3. Regulatory Challenges – Privacy coins like ZEC face potential bans and restrictions, but some policies may support crypto, creating uncertainty.

Deep Dive

1. Private Transactions and Cross-Chain Expansion (Positive Outlook)

What’s happening: In October 2025, about 20% of ZEC transactions used its “shielded” privacy feature, up 15% from the previous month. This growth is driven by new tools like Zashi CrossPay, which allows swapping ZEC across different blockchains, and NymVPN, which uses ZEC for anonymous subscriptions. Router Protocol launched a ZEC bridge connecting it to over 20 other blockchains, increasing its use in decentralized finance (DeFi).

Why it matters: When more people use shielded transactions, fewer coins are visible on the market, which can create scarcity and potentially increase value. Cross-chain swaps have moved $9.5 million worth of ZEC since August, attracting investors from Ethereum and Bitcoin who want privacy. Price targets around $300 to $500 are being watched (Bitrue).

2. Halving and Mining Concentration (Mixed Effects)

What’s happening: In November 2025, ZEC’s block reward will drop to 1.56 coins per block. At the same time, Bitmain released the Z15 Pro mining rig, which is more energy-efficient. After this, one mining pool, ViaBTC, controls 72% of the network’s mining power.

Why it matters: With miners earning less, they may sell fewer coins, which could help stabilize prices. However, when one group controls most of the mining power, it raises risks like potential attacks on the network or unfair influence over decisions. Historically, ZEC’s price has been quite volatile around halving events, sometimes swinging 30–50% (CoinJournal).

3. Privacy Regulations Worldwide (Potential Downside)

What’s happening: The European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation plans to ban trading of privacy coins like ZEC by 2027. In the U.S., lawmakers are discussing whether ZEC’s privacy features comply with regulations, especially regarding “view keys” that allow limited transparency.

Why it matters: Some exchanges have already delisted ZEC (like Bittrex in 2023), and more could follow. However, institutional interest remains strong, as seen with Grayscale’s $92 million Zcash Trust. A possible shift in U.S. policy toward supporting privacy coins in 2025 could be a game-changer (Cointribune).

Conclusion

Zcash’s potential price growth in 2025 depends on increased use of its privacy features and expanding its use across multiple blockchains. At the same time, it faces challenges from reduced mining rewards and tightening regulations. The period from late October to early November 2025 will be critical, as the halving event coincides with important regulatory decisions in Europe. The key question is whether Zcash’s development team can quickly ramp up lobbying efforts to influence policy in Brussels.

What are people saying about ZEC?

Zcash’s privacy features are generating excitement and comparisons to Bitcoin, but traders using too much leverage could face losses. Here’s what’s trending:

1. Supporters say ZEC will surpass BTC, while skeptics disagree
2. Potential 40% price increase if ZEC breaks above $300 resistance
3. Institutions are buying through the Grayscale Zcash Trust

Deep Dive

1. @ThorTorrens: ZEC seen as Bitcoin’s privacy-focused successor — bullish

"Zcash is encrypted unstoppable private money… Bitcoin is a public ledger"
– @ThorTorrens (283k followers · 1.2M impressions · 2025-10-17 22:56 UTC)
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What this means: This is positive for Zcash because it highlights how ZEC addresses Bitcoin’s transparency issues, appealing to investors who prioritize privacy. However, Bitcoin’s strong network dominance (58.7%) remains a challenge for ZEC’s growth.

2. @criptofacil: $300 breakout could lead to 40% gains — bullish

"Zcash could rise 40% if it breaks $300 resistance"
– @criptofacil (891k followers · 650k impressions · 2025-10-08 21:12 UTC)
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What this means: Technical analysts expect ZEC to climb if it stays above the $300 level, which it last tested in 2021. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 62.8 shows there’s still room for upward momentum before the coin becomes overbought (which is typically above 70).

3. @LazybearOFC: Institutional buying mixed with risk — mixed

"Grayscale Zcash Trust bought $46M ZEC… but $21M longs risk liquidations below $178"
– @LazybearOFC (112k followers · 287k impressions · 2025-10-08 16:40 UTC)
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What this means: Institutional purchases through Grayscale’s Zcash Trust (ZCSH) show growing confidence in ZEC. However, the high leverage ratio on Bybit (6.3 long positions for every short) means the price could drop quickly if traders start selling, leading to forced liquidations.

Conclusion

The overall outlook for Zcash is positive but volatile, driven by its strong privacy features and growing independence from Bitcoin’s price movements. Shielded transactions have increased to 4.42 million ZEC (+15% month-over-month), showing more users are taking advantage of privacy. Traders should watch the $178 to $300 price range closely and keep an eye on upcoming SEC regulations on privacy coins expected in late 2025. The big question remains: will ZEC’s promise of “encrypted money” stand up to regulatory scrutiny?

What is the latest news about ZEC?

Zcash is making strides with new technology upgrades and experiencing market ups and downs, balancing its focus on privacy with increasing regulatory challenges. Here’s a quick summary of the latest developments:

1. Zcash Cross-Chain Integration (October 16, 2025) – Partnered with Router Protocol to allow easy swapping between Ethereum-compatible tokens and ZEC.
2. Increase in Shielded Transactions (October 18, 2025) – Now, 27% of ZEC coins are untraceable, reflecting growing demand for privacy.
3. Price Recovery to $225 (October 19, 2025) – ZEC’s price jumped 15%, with market indicators showing positive momentum.

Detailed Overview

1. Zcash Cross-Chain Integration (October 16, 2025)

What happened: Zcash teamed up with Router Protocol to join their cross-chain network. This means users can now swap ZEC, including its private (shielded) coins, with assets from Ethereum, BNB Chain, and other blockchains that support Ethereum’s technology. The integration uses Near Intents technology to keep transactions private.

Why it matters: This move could attract more users and funds from Ethereum’s large decentralized finance (DeFi) market, which is worth over $225 billion. However, success depends on how easy the system is to use and how regulators respond to privacy-focused swaps. (Router Protocol)

2. Increase in Shielded Transactions (October 18, 2025)

What happened: More than 27% of all ZEC coins (about 4.42 million) are now held in shielded pools, up from 23% last month. The Orchard Pool, which handles shielded transactions, saw a 15% increase in activity, driven by interest from institutions and concerns over global political issues.

Why it matters: The rise in shielded transactions shows growing confidence in Zcash’s privacy technology called zk-SNARKs. However, regulators might pay closer attention to these anonymous transactions. Features like “view keys,” which allow selective transparency, could help ease regulatory concerns. (Bitrue)

3. Price Recovery to $225 (October 19, 2025)

What happened: ZEC’s price increased by 15% to $225, surpassing its 20-day moving average of $187.75. The total open interest in derivatives reached $170 million, with more traders betting on price increases (long positions) than decreases. There’s strong trading interest around $300, suggesting traders expect a potential price breakout.

Why it matters: Technical indicators like the Stochastic RSI show growing bullish momentum. However, low trading volume below $200 means the price could still drop quickly if selling pressure increases. (AMBCrypto)

Conclusion

Zcash is evolving as both a leader in privacy technology and a speculative investment. Its new cross-chain capabilities and rising use of shielded transactions strengthen its position, but regulatory challenges remain a key risk. The big question is whether Zcash’s compliance tools can satisfy regulators without compromising the privacy that defines its value.

What is expected in the development of ZEC?

Zcash is focusing on improving privacy, upgrading its network, and growing its community through late 2025.

1. Halving & Funding Vote (Nov 2025) – Block rewards will be cut in half, and the community will decide how to fund future development.
2. Zebra Node Migration (Ongoing) – Moving to a new Rust-based system to make the network faster and easier to upgrade.
3. Cross-Chain Privacy (Q4 2025) – Expanding private transactions across different blockchains through a new partnership.

Deep Dive

1. Halving & Funding Vote (Nov 2025)

Overview:
In November 2025, Zcash will undergo its third “halving,” which means the reward for mining new blocks will drop from 3.125 ZEC to 1.5625 ZEC. This reduces the rate at which new coins enter circulation, making ZEC more scarce. At the same time, the Zcash community will vote on six proposals to replace the current development fund, which is essential for supporting ongoing improvements to the network (CoinMarketCap).

What this means:

• Positive: The reduced supply and new funding could increase demand and encourage developers to keep improving Zcash.
• Risk: If the funding proposals don’t pass, development might slow down.

2. Zebra Node Migration (Ongoing)

Overview:
Zcash is switching from its old C++ software called “zcashd” to a new system called Zebra, which is built using the Rust programming language. This change aims to make the network more efficient and easier to upgrade in the future. This migration was a key part of the 2022 Network Upgrade 5 (Yahoo Finance) and will support future improvements like scaling solutions.

What this means:

• Neutral: This is mostly a technical update that won’t affect users right away.
• Positive: Over time, Zebra could make the network more reliable and attract larger participants like institutional validators.

3. Cross-Chain Privacy (Q4 2025)

Overview:
In October 2025, Zcash integrated with Router Protocol, allowing private ZEC transactions to happen across different blockchain networks, including those that use Ethereum’s technology and others that don’t (Router Protocol). This builds on a September upgrade called Zashi CrossPay, which made private cross-chain transactions smoother using NEAR Intents.

What this means:

• Positive: This makes ZEC more useful as a privacy-focused asset that can move between blockchains.
• Risk: Regulators may increase scrutiny on tools that enable private cross-chain transactions.

Conclusion

Zcash’s plan combines near-term events like the halving and funding vote with important technical upgrades like Zebra and cross-chain privacy features. The decisions made in November 2025 will shape the network’s development in 2026, while privacy improvements aim to address regulatory challenges.

Will ZEC’s shielded transaction volume keep growing at 15% per month as its use cases expand?

What updates are there in the ZEC code base?

Zcash is making important updates in 2025 to improve privacy features and its technical infrastructure.

1. NU6.1 Activation (August 2025) – A testnet upgrade that makes shielded transactions more efficient.
2. Zcashd Deprecation (April 2025) – Moving from the original node software to new tools called Zebra and Zallet.
3. Funding Vote (June 2025) – The community decides how future development grants will be handled after November 2025.

Deep Dive

1. NU6.1 Activation (August 2025)

Overview:
In August 2025, Zcash released version 6.3.0 of its software, which activated Network Upgrade 6.1 (NU6.1) on the testnet. This upgrade improves how shielded transactions work and fixes issues with how wallets calculate balances for a feature called Orchard notes.

Key changes include updates to the fee structure (see ZIP 308) and fixing a bug where some transactions were incorrectly counted in user balances. The default transaction format also changed to version 5, which supports newer privacy features introduced in 2022.

What this means:
This upgrade is positive for Zcash because it makes private transactions more reliable and wallet balances more accurate. It also helps the network handle fees better and ensures compatibility with the latest privacy technology.
(Source)

2. Zcashd Deprecation (April 2025)

Overview:
The original Zcash node software, called Zcashd, is being phased out in April 2025. It will be replaced by Zebra, a new node software written in Rust, and Zallet, a new wallet application. Some older commands, like createrawtransaction, are no longer supported.

This change aims to improve performance and security for users and developers. To acknowledge this transition, users need to add a specific setting (i-am-aware-zcashd-will-be-replaced-by-zebrad-and-zallet-in-2025=1) to their configuration files.

What this means:
This update is neutral in the short term—it modernizes the technology but requires users and services to adjust. Over time, it should help Zcash scale better and attract more developer support.
(Source)

3. Funding Vote (June 2025)

Overview:
In June 2025, the Zcash community voted on six proposals to decide how to fund development after the current funding program ends in November 2025. Right now, 20% of mining rewards go toward grants and core development teams.

The vote will determine if Zcash keeps a formal funding system or moves to a more community-driven approach. Past funding has helped keep the protocol stable and innovative, but losing it could slow progress.

What this means:
If funding continues, it’s good news for ongoing research and development in privacy technology. If not, development might become less focused but could encourage more decentralized decision-making.
(Source)

Conclusion

Zcash’s 2025 updates focus on strengthening privacy features (with NU6.1 and Zebra) and ensuring steady development through community funding. With shielded transactions now making up 27% of all ZEC and growing interest from institutions, these changes help position Zcash as a leader in programmable privacy.

What’s next? Will Zebra’s adoption and the outcome of the funding vote keep Zcash moving forward despite regulatory challenges?