Zcash (ZEC) to $10,000? Top Analysts Back Major Price Breakout

Key Insights

• Zcash (ZEC) price has soared 700% since September, reaching $344.
• Analysts Arthur Hayes and Bill Barhydt see a potential rally to a new high of $10,000.
• Shielded transactions reached a record 4.9 million as demand for privacy grows.

Market data reveal that Zcash (ZEC) price has gained 700% since September and is now trading at $344.

Notably, former Bitmex CEO Arthur Hayes and Bill Barhydt believe the privacy coin could trade from $5000 to $10,000.

This is a result of demand for anonymous transactions, as privacy-based assets continue to gain traction in global markets.

Zcash Price Surge Sparks Strong Forecasts

Zcash (ZEC) price has surprised many in the crypto market with a steep rise over recent weeks.

According to recent reports, the price has increased by 700% since September and is now trading at nearly $344.

The move has led several well-known industry figures to share bold forecasts about its future.

Arthur Hayes, the former CEO of BitMEX, stated on X social media that “nothing stops this train,” implying that the Zcash price could reach $10,000.

Abra Global CEO Bill Barhydt called the recent chart remarkable and said that if the rally reflects broader crypto strength, Zcash price could move between $5,000 and $10,000 in the next market cycle.

It is worth noting that Barhydt has frequently emphasized the importance of privacy and fungibility in Bitcoin.

He believes that the global political and financial climate may be encouraging investors to look for assets that protect user privacy.

On X, other commentators added that the current rally represents more than just price movement.

One user wrote that while ZEC could hit high levels, it is about taking back the ethos of Bitcoin.

Another pointed out that the coin once reached $3,000 in 2016 and wondered how many long-term holders remain.

At the time of reporting, Zcash has risen 8.87% in the past 24 hours and 46.4% in the past week. It is currently trading at $357.72.

Even with these gains, the coin is still 89.2% below its all-time high of $3,191, recorded in October 2016, according to CoinGecko.

Record Shielded Transactions Show Rising Use

Data from ZecHub shows that the number of shielded transactions in Zcash has reached an all-time high of 4.9 million ZEC.

The platform uses a privacy technology called zk-SNARKs. It allows users to send and receive funds without revealing transaction history.

Since its launch, Zcash has upgraded its privacy protocol three times, this includes Sprout, Sapling, and Orchard.

Each update has enhanced security while maintaining compatibility with earlier versions. Orchard now holds the largest share of shielded coins, with 4.1 million ZEC stored in the pool.

Mert Mumtaz, CEO of Helius Kab, called the recent growth one of the most remarkable in the crypto industry’s history.

Analysts believe the increase in shielded transactions shows rising confidence in privacy-based networks.

One early trigger for the price rally was the creation of the Zcash Trust by Grayscale, giving institutional investors a way to gain exposure to ZEC.

Rising concerns over global data tracking and privacy regulations may also be prompting more investors to turn to private digital assets.

Privacy Coins Face New Rules Ahead

In a separate development, Zcash price has outperformed most other privacy coins in recent weeks.

Monero (XMR), the long-time market leader, fell 3.6% in the last 24 hours and gained only 3% during the week.

Over the past month, Monero rose 9.63%, while the Zcash price jumped 455.33%. Market data shows that Monero’s market capitalization is about $6.04 billion, while Zcash has reached $5.83 billion.

In an interesting comment, Mumtaz said Zcash could even surpass XRP in market value if this growth continues.

However, new European Union regulations may pose challenges for privacy-based cryptocurrencies.

This is because starting in 2027, the EU’s anti-money laundering rules will ban anonymous crypto accounts and the use of privacy coins.

Despite these coming restrictions, Zcash remains a leading name among privacy coins. Its mix of advanced encryption, long-term protocol support, and renewed investor interest keeps it in focus.