Zcash (ZEC) has sparked excitement in the crypto world, breaking above $400 for the first time ever and outperforming
Bitcoin
(BTC) in recent sessions, various sources report. This surge, driven by
Arthur Hayes's $10,000 projection
, has drawn investor attention to privacy-oriented cryptocurrencies as broader economic uncertainties persist.
The privacy-focused digital asset
soared by 30%
within a single day, climbing from $272 to $355 after Hayes described
ZEC
as an "unstoppable train" on social media. This rally has made
Zcash
one of the leading performers in the sector, with its market value exceeding $5 billion; reports widely noted it
breaking through $350
. Hayes's forecast, based on ZEC's capped supply and increasing institutional interest, has triggered widespread FOMO, especially among retail investors,
as highlighted in a recent price review
.
Interest from institutional players in Zcash has also accelerated, with
Grayscale's Zcash Trust
(ZCSH) holding $151.6 million in assets as of October 31. This trust, which provides regulated access to the privacy coin, has benefited from the growing appetite for digital assets that emphasize transaction secrecy. Zcash utilizes zero-knowledge proofs (zk-SNARKs), enabling users to choose between transparent and fully private transactions, hiding sender, recipient, and transaction amounts.
Zcash's recent gains stand in stark contrast to Bitcoin's recent challenges. Although
BTC
briefly reached $116,410 in early October, it has since slipped to around $114,000, weighed down by economic headwinds and
the Federal Reserve's 25 basis point rate cut
. MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor remains optimistic about Bitcoin,
forecasting a year-end value
of $150,000 and a
long-term goal
of $20 million. Nevertheless, Bitcoin's momentum has been held back by institutional caution ahead of Fed decisions and global political tensions, such as
Trump–Xi discussions
.
The Zcash rally has also underscored the rising demand for privacy coins as regulators worldwide increase oversight of digital asset monitoring. Nearly 30% of Zcash's total supply is now held in its shielded pool, enhancing the network's privacy features. Meanwhile, some analysts interpret Bitcoin's recent price swings as a mid-cycle adjustment rather than a reversal of its overall trend.
Despite the positive outlook, Zcash still faces notable obstacles. Regulatory scrutiny of privacy coins remains high, with U.S. Treasury officials recently seeking public feedback on privacy-enhancing technologies. Furthermore, competition from other privacy-centric projects like Monero (XMR) and new layer-2 innovations could
challenge
Zcash's leading position.
The wider cryptocurrency market continues to experience
volatility
, with flows into Bitcoin ETFs and institutional diversification strategies influencing portfolio choices. BlackRock's strong presence in Bitcoin ETF inflows has prompted investors to consider alternatives such as Zcash, which now ranks among the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market cap.
As Zcash's price movement continues to surprise, market watchers are monitoring for signs of lasting momentum. While Hayes's $10,000 target remains highly speculative, the coin's robust technology and increasing institutional support suggest it could retain its significance in the privacy coin arena.
