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What is expected in the development of ZEC?

Zcash’s development plan through early 2026 focuses on improving privacy features, growing its ecosystem, and updating how the project is managed.

  1. Zashi Wallet 2.0 (Q1 2026) – Enables private asset swaps and connects with other blockchains for decentralized finance (DeFi).
  2. Ztarknet Devnet Launch (Q1 2026) – Introduces private smart contracts that keep transactions confidential.
  3. Governance Model Overhaul (2026) – Updates funding and decision-making processes for faster, clearer development.

Deep Dive

1. Zashi Wallet 2.0 (Q1 2026)

Overview:
The upcoming Zashi Wallet update will allow users to swap cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH) into shielded Zcash (ZEC) privately, without needing middlemen. This builds on a November 2025 update that made it easier to move between private and public Zcash transactions (source).

What this means:
This is good news for ZEC adoption because it makes privacy easier and more user-friendly, which could attract people who want to keep their transactions anonymous but still follow regulations. However, there might be delays in adding privacy features for refunds across different blockchains.

2. Ztarknet Devnet Launch (Q1 2026)

Overview:
Ztarknet is a new technology inspired by Starknet that will bring smart contracts—programs that run on the blockchain—to Zcash. These smart contracts will use Circle-STARK proofs to keep computations private off the main blockchain, while still recording results on Zcash’s secure base layer (Eli5defi, Nov 2025).

What this means:
This development could expand Zcash’s use beyond just sending money, allowing more complex and private applications. Its success depends on how many developers start building on it. If it takes off, ZEC could become a leading platform for privacy-focused smart contracts.

3. Governance Model Overhaul (2026)

Overview:
The Zcash community is working on replacing the current development fund, which is ending, with a new system that aims to be more transparent and quicker in funding projects. This follows discussions from June 2025 about how to keep the ecosystem growing sustainably (source).

What this means:
If successful, these changes could speed up development and improve trust. But if disagreements arise over funding, it could cause divisions within the community.

Conclusion

Zcash’s path in 2026 depends on balancing new technology like Ztarknet and Zashi Wallet with improved governance. Privacy improvements could help Zcash reach more users, but regulatory challenges remain uncertain. It will be important to watch how Zcash’s optional privacy features hold up as global anti-money laundering (AML) rules become stricter.


What updates are there in the ZEC code base?

Zcash’s latest updates improve privacy features and upgrade its network infrastructure.

  1. NU6.1 Activation (Oct 2025) – Introduced better shielded transactions and lowered fees.
  2. Zcashd Deprecation (Apr 2025) – Moving from the old zcashd software to newer Zebra nodes and the Zallet wallet.
  3. Zashi 2.0.3 (Apr 2025) – Made private addresses the default and added easy cross-chain swaps.

Deep Dive

1. NU6.1 Activation (Oct 2025)

Overview: This update included ZIPs 317 and 320, which improved how transaction fees are calculated and updated the way transparent addresses work.
It made a new transaction version (v5) the standard, cutting fees for private (shielded) transfers by about 30% by optimizing how proofs are bundled. It also added stricter rules to prevent spam transactions from clogging the network.

What this means: This is good news for Zcash (ZEC) users because lower fees and better spam protection make private transactions easier and more scalable. (Source)

2. Zcashd Deprecation (Apr 2025)

Overview: The older zcashd software, written in C++, is being phased out. It’s being replaced by Zebra nodes (written in Rust) and the Zallet wallet.
Some key commands like z_getbalance are no longer supported, so users need to switch before August 2025. Zebra nodes sync faster and have a more modular design, making maintenance easier.

What this means: This change is neutral for ZEC. While the upgrade improves long-term stability and performance, the transition might cause some temporary challenges for users and developers. (Source)

3. Zashi 2.0.3 (Apr 2025)

Overview: The Zashi wallet update now defaults to shielded (private) addresses and integrates Maya DEX, allowing easy swaps between different blockchains.
The update also automatically converts transparent balances into shielded ones, increasing privacy. After the update, over 15% more ZEC moved into shielded pools.

What this means: This is positive for ZEC because making privacy easier to use strengthens Zcash’s main advantage, especially as regulators pay closer attention to cryptocurrencies. (Source)

Conclusion

Zcash’s recent updates focus on making privacy features easier to use and improving the network’s infrastructure. With more users adopting shielded transactions and the network software modernized, Zcash is well-positioned to balance regulatory challenges while maintaining its edge as a privacy-focused cryptocurrency in 2026.


What could affect the price of ZEC?

Zcash’s future depends on how well it can grow privacy features, navigate regulations, and implement technical improvements.

  1. Privacy Technology Upgrades – The Sapling upgrade makes private transactions much cheaper and easier, encouraging more users to adopt privacy features (positive outlook).
  2. Regulatory Challenges – New EU rules (MiCA) could limit privacy coins, but Zcash’s optional transparency may help it comply better than competitors (mixed outlook).
  3. Institutional Interest – Growing investments from big players like Grayscale and rumors of Coinbase listing suggest strong market confidence (positive outlook).

In-Depth Look

1. Growing Use of Shielded Transactions & Sapling 2.0 (Positive Impact)

What’s happening: In October 2025, Zcash rolled out the Sapling upgrade, which cut the cost of private (shielded) transactions by 96%. This makes it easier to use private wallets on mobile devices. Currently, over 30% of all Zcash (ZEC) coins are held in these shielded pools (Electric Coin Co.). Plus, integration with Zashi Wallet on the NEAR blockchain adds programmable privacy features.

Why it matters: More people using shielded transactions means Zcash becomes more private and attractive to institutions. If shielded coins exceed 50%, it could create scarcity similar to Bitcoin’s price jumps after halving events.

2. Regulatory Challenges and Compliance (Mixed Impact)

What’s happening: The EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) rules, expected by 2027, could restrict privacy coins. However, Zcash offers optional transparency through “view keys,” which helps it meet regulatory requirements better than coins like Monero. Exchanges like Gemini and Kraken continue to support ZEC because it can be audited (Yahoo Finance).

Why it matters: Clearer regulations might split the market. Zcash could benefit from demand for “compliant privacy” coins, while competitors might face crackdowns. Still, risks remain, such as the U.S. SEC denying crypto ETFs, as seen with Bitcoin in September.

3. Institutional Buying and Market Trends (Positive Near-Term)

What’s happening: In December 2025, a large investor opened a $7.9 million leveraged long position on HyperLiquid, and Grayscale’s Zcash Trust reached $190 million in assets. On the charts, ZEC is holding a $404 support level, with technical indicators suggesting a possible move back up to $541 resistance (CoinDesk).

Why it matters: Strong trading interest ($871 million open interest) shows confidence. If ZEC breaks above $519, it could rally up to $900, but some short-term price consolidation is likely.

Conclusion

Zcash looks promising in the near term thanks to technology upgrades and institutional interest, but regulatory hurdles could pose challenges down the road. Keep an eye on the SEC’s ETF decision in September 2026 and how many coins move into shielded pools. The big question: Can Zcash successfully balance privacy and regulatory compliance better than Monero to avoid restrictions under MiCA?


What are people saying about ZEC?

The Zcash community is caught between excitement over potential price gains and caution about possible setbacks. There’s a lot of buzz about its privacy technology, but traders are divided on what the charts are saying. Here’s the latest:

  1. Traders are debating whether ZEC’s current price pause is a false signal or a launchpad
  2. Big investors are placing large bets while everyday traders watch $550 price predictions
  3. Technical analysis shows mixed signals depending on the timeframe

Deep Dive

1. @earlyadopterz: Zcash as a “hedge” against Bitcoin’s ups and downs 🚀

“When Bitcoin drops, Zcash tends to rise... ZEC acts as a safety net”
– @earlyadopterz (7.1K followers · 14M impressions · 2026-01-02 16:13 UTC)
View original post
What this means: Some investors see Zcash as a way to protect themselves when Bitcoin’s price falls. This idea gained attention after ZEC’s price went up 2.8% while Bitcoin’s dropped 0.4% on January 2.

2. @VipRoseTr: Warning of a possible 42% price drop 📉

“ZEC is showing a bearish pattern – if it falls below support, price could hit $289”
– @VipRoseTr (63.4K followers · 8.2M impressions · 2025-12-27 13:53 UTC)
View original post
What this means: The technical charts suggest caution. ZEC is struggling to break above $519 resistance (currently around $501). The pattern points to a potential drop that matches a common retracement level after a strong 90-day rally.

3. @MusicByVirtuals: Prediction market shows doubt about price rising above $550 🎯

“85.8% of bets say ZEC won’t go over $550 by the end of 2025”
– @MusicByVirtuals (6.1K followers · 3.1M impressions · 2025-11-28 14:56 UTC)
View original post
What this means: Despite a nearly 48% price increase in the last 30 days, many traders remain skeptical that ZEC can keep climbing. This poll was taken before news of Grayscale Trust buying more Zcash in January.

Conclusion

Opinions on Zcash are mixed. Many are optimistic about its privacy features driving adoption, but some worry the price is too high right now. Big players like Grayscale, with a $190 million Zcash Trust, show confidence in the long term. However, there are also $54 million in short positions that could cause price swings. Keep an eye on the $404 support level: staying above it could keep the price on an upward path toward $630, while falling below might confirm a downward trend toward $300. With nearly 30% of ZEC’s supply now in private “shielded” pools, clear regulations will be key to its future success.


What is the latest news about ZEC?

Zcash is showing positive signs in its price movement and is attracting big investors as interest in privacy-focused cryptocurrencies grows. Here are the key updates:

  1. Bull Flag Pattern Remains Despite Some Weakness (January 6, 2026) – Zcash’s upward trend is still intact, but some indicators suggest caution.
  2. Large Investor Places $39 Million Bet on Zcash (January 5, 2026) – A major crypto investor opened a leveraged position worth about 1.2% of all Zcash coins in circulation.
  3. Grayscale Zcash Trust Shares Trade at a Discount (January 5, 2026) – Shares are priced 25% below the actual value of the Zcash held, despite growing interest from institutions.

In-Depth Look

1. Bull Flag Pattern Remains Despite Some Weakness (January 6, 2026)

Summary: Zcash (ZEC) is still showing a positive price pattern with a potential to rise about 85% if it stays above $404. However, some momentum indicators, like the Chaikin Money Flow (CMF), are close to neutral, signaling that buying pressure is weakening.

What this means: The long-term outlook is positive, but there are challenges. Zcash’s price tends to move opposite to Bitcoin’s, which is currently weak. Also, there’s $39 million in short-term bets against Zcash. If the price falls below $404, a bigger drop could happen. (TokenPost)

2. Large Investor Places $39 Million Bet on Zcash (January 5, 2026)

Summary: A crypto whale (large investor) with the address 0x6b26 opened a 5x leveraged long position on Binance, buying 79,438 ZEC worth about $39.24 million. This means they are borrowing money to increase their potential gains—and risks.

What this means: Big leveraged bets can lead to rapid price swings because if the price moves against the investor, their position can be liquidated (forced to sell). Currently, there’s about $54 million in short bets and $24 million in long bets near current prices. The whale is already facing an unrealized loss of $1.88 million, which could lead to forced selling and more volatility. (Binance News)

3. Grayscale Zcash Trust Shares Trade at a Discount (January 5, 2026)

Summary: Grayscale’s Zcash Trust (ZCSH) holds $190 million worth of ZEC, but its shares are trading at a 25% discount compared to the actual value of the coins. This shows some skepticism about how easily investors can buy or sell these shares.

What this means: The price gap between institutional shares and the actual Zcash coins highlights uncertainty around regulations. However, if rumors about converting the trust into an exchange-traded fund (ETF) come true, this could create opportunities for investors to profit from price differences. (CoinMarketCap)

Conclusion

Zcash is showing strong technical signs but faces risks from large investor activity and cautious institutional sentiment. Its privacy features attract supporters, but the market is waiting to see if growth in shielded (private) transactions—currently 20-25% of total supply—can help Zcash’s price resist downward pressure from Bitcoin’s influence.

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Why did the price of ZEC fall?

Zcash (ZEC) dropped 1.72% in the last 24 hours, underperforming Bitcoin, which rose 3.5%, and the overall crypto market, up 3%. Three main factors influenced this movement:

  1. Bitcoin’s rally reduced demand for ZEC – Historically, ZEC tends to move opposite to Bitcoin, and this pattern reappeared.
  2. More ZEC moved to public addresses – About 202,000 ZEC (1.2% of all coins in circulation) shifted from private to transparent wallets, increasing visible supply.
  3. Price hit resistance at $519 – A failed attempt to break above this level led traders to take profits.

Deep Dive

1. Bitcoin’s Rally and Its Mixed Effects on ZEC (Bearish for ZEC)

Bitcoin’s price jumped 3.5% to $94,340, while ZEC fell 2.5%, despite being one of the best-performing large cryptocurrencies in 2025. This reflects a historical trend where ZEC often moves opposite to Bitcoin, especially when Bitcoin is dominating the market.

What this means:

2. Increased Public Supply of ZEC (Bearish)

Between December 24 and January 5, about 202,000 ZEC (valued around $100 million) moved from private (shielded) to public (transparent) addresses.

What this means:

3. Technical Resistance and Risk of Sell-Offs (Neutral)

ZEC is facing price resistance at $519 and $541, key levels where traders often sell or close short positions.

What this means:

Conclusion

ZEC’s recent decline is tied to investors moving funds into Bitcoin, increased supply from coins becoming visible, and hesitation at important price levels. While the 30-day trend remains positive with a 48.8% gain, short-term traders are cautious.

Key points to watch: