Zcash Shatters Records: Soars to 8-Year Peak at $388, Overtakes Monero in Market Dominance

Privacy coins are making waves as Zcash achieves what many thought impossible—surpassing Monero's market valuation while hitting unprecedented price levels.

The $388 Milestone

Zcash just smashed through its previous records, reaching a price point not seen in nearly a decade. The cryptocurrency's surge represents more than just numerical growth—it signals shifting investor preferences in the privacy-focused digital asset space.

Market Cap Revolution

In a stunning reversal of fortunes, Zcash's market capitalization now exceeds Monero's, flipping the long-standing hierarchy among privacy coins. The move demonstrates how quickly sentiment can shift in crypto markets—where yesterday's underdog becomes today's champion.

Institutional attention is growing as regulatory clarity improves, though let's be honest—when has Wall Street ever truly understood the value of financial privacy? The traditional finance crowd still thinks privacy features are for hiding something, rather than protecting fundamental rights.

This isn't just another price pump—it's a fundamental reassessment of privacy technology's value proposition in an increasingly surveilled digital economy. The question remains: can Zcash maintain its momentum, or will this prove to be another case of crypto investors chasing the next shiny object while ignoring fundamentals?

TLDR

• Zcash rose 45% in one week, reaching an eight-year high of $388.
• ZEC’s market cap hit $6.2B, flipping Monero as the top privacy coin.
• ZEC token holders increased 63% in seven days, hitting nearly 2,000.
• Whales sold $702K in ZEC last week despite rising retail interest.

Zcash (ZEC) surged 45% this week, reaching an eight-year high of $388 and overtaking Monero (XMR) in market value. The token’s rally brought its market capitalization to $6.2 billion, making it the most valuable privacy-focused cryptocurrency. This sharp rise came despite a broader market decline and followed a bold $10,000 price prediction from BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes.

Zcash Overtakes Monero in Market Capitalization

Zcash has now become the leading privacy coin by market capitalization after reaching a valuation of $6.2 billion. The token ROSE 45% in the past week, reaching a peak of $388, the highest price since 2017. According to CoinMarketCap, this moved ZEC ahead of Monero (XMR), which was priced at $328 at the time.

The increase came during a broader market slowdown triggered by stalled trade negotiations between the United States and China. While other digital assets showed limited movement or declines, ZEC saw rising demand from retail users and traders. Privacy coins are known for their ability to hide transaction details, which sets them apart from traceable coins like Bitcoin.

Price Surge Follows Arthur Hayes’s Forecast

Part of Zcash’s rally followed a prediction by Arthur Hayes, co-founder of crypto exchange BitMEX. On Sunday, Hayes said he believed ZEC could reach $10,000 per token. After the comment, ZEC’s price jumped from $272 to $355 within hours. The surge continued through the week, helping it reach the eight-year high.

Source: Arthur Hayes

Hayes posted on X (formerly Twitter) that privacy WOULD become a key feature in the next stage of digital asset growth. His prediction gained attention on social media and helped fuel trading activity. Though the token has grown quickly, it remains far from the $10,000 level he forecasted.

Token Holders Rise, While Whales Reduce Holdings

Despite growing demand, large holders, often referred to as whales, have been selling. According to blockchain analytics firm Nansen, whales sold around $702,000 worth of ZEC in the past week. This selling occurred even as the total number of holders rose by 63%, from 1,209 to 1,968 wallets.

Source: Nansen

The rise in smaller retail holders shows increased interest from individual investors. Yet, the net selling by whales suggests that some large investors are taking profits after the token’s recent rally. Market analysts are watching to see whether new buying pressure can keep up the momentum.

Privacy Coins See Renewed Attention Amid Market Uncertainty

Zcash and other privacy-focused tokens have attracted renewed interest as traders look for alternatives in uncertain market conditions. While Bitcoin and ethereum remain the largest cryptocurrencies, their public transaction data makes them less private. In contrast, privacy coins are designed to obscure the sender, receiver, and transaction amounts.

Privacy remains a key topic in the crypto space, especially as regulators increase oversight. Zcash uses zero-knowledge proofs, which allow transactions to be verified without revealing private details. Monero, the second-largest privacy coin, also uses advanced privacy techniques, but Zcash’s recent growth has moved it ahead in market value.

Simon Dedic, founder of Moonrock Capital, posted on X that Zcash’s growth was “remarkable,” given its size. “This isn’t some meme coin,” he wrote, pointing to its multibillion-dollar valuation. His post reflected growing interest in privacy assets among institutional and individual investors.