For several weeks now, Zcash’s ZEC has been on an upward trend that seems completely disconnected from market realities. What’s going on with this privacy-focused cryptocurrency?
New appeal for Zcash (ZEC)?
The massive influx of traditional finance into the cryptocurrency sector is reshuffling the deck in this ecosystem, which was historically developed to escape it. This reality now positions Bitcoin as a stock market asset accumulated by companies and governments, to the obvious detriment of individual investors.
At the same time, increased surveillance of the sector is prompting some of its long-standing users to seek out options with enhanced privacy. All this without forgetting the quantum risk, which until now has been largely theoretical but could well become a reality in the near future.
Some people embrace this vision in its entirety, while others agree only with certain aspects of it. In any case, these factors seem to have recently sparked a renewed appetite for the long-standing Zcash project and its anonymous cryptocurrency, ZEC.
This visibility has recently been reactivated by crypto investor Arthur Hayes, whose publications too often give the impression of trying to inflate his personal portfolios, with a simple “mood assessment for a $10,000 ZEC” accompanied by a graph. Needless to say, this implies an increase of more than 2,600%.
Vibe check $ZEC to $10k pic.twitter.com/tBc0WaxzZ1
— Arthur Hayes (@CryptoHayes) October 26, 2025
A rise between Bitcoin alternative and pump and dump
Following this publication, the price of ZEC rose by around 30%. This impressive performance seems almost insignificant compared to the 550% increase recorded over the last 30 days. By way of comparison, Bitcoin has risen by just 5% over the same period, and the comparison does not end there.
Indeed, some currently see Zcash as “a real competitor to Bitcoin in terms of privacy” that is largely undervalued, particularly because of its ability—which remains to be proven—to establish itself as an alternative if BTC fails the quantum test.
This opinion is shared on the X network by Bitcoin Jack, who explains how “when a narrative emerges that really excites Bitcoin veterans (…) you hear them saying it’s fake and coordinated.”
Because while some see a resurgence of enthusiasm for Zcash, others—such as investment specialist Lyn Alden—recently warned against “becoming the exit liquidity for coordinated token pumps.” A statement that is sure to provoke a reaction… the best solution being to form your own opinion.
Meanwhile, cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase is riding the trend by reopening trading in ZEC, which had been delisted for several years along with many other anonymous cryptocurrencies that fell victim to their own confidentiality in a regulatory environment that wants to monitor everything.
