Zcash Breaks $520 Amid Surge in Privacy-Coin Demand
The price of Zcash (ZEC) has surged by 20.6 % over the past 24 hours, reaching $533 — its highest level since 2018. The privacy-focused cryptocurrency now boasts a market capitalization of $8.6 billion, ranking 17th among the largest digital assets.
A major breakout for the privacy sector
According to ForkLog, Zcash’s sharp rally reflects growing investor appetite for anonymous cryptocurrencies as global regulators tighten anti-money-laundering (AML) frameworks. The sector’s total capitalization has expanded to $26 billion, with Zcash emerging as its top performer.
Over the past 24 hours, network data recorded an all-time high of 4.96 million ZEC transactions, suggesting intensified on-chain activity and increased wallet migrations to shielded formats.
Why the demand is rising
Analysts attribute the surge to the European Union’s new AML directives and similar proposals under consideration in the U.S. These measures limit the use of non-custodial wallets and heighten scrutiny of privacy tools — a development that paradoxically drives demand for fully encrypted transaction systems such as Zcash.
“Whenever regulation closes the door on anonymity, markets find new ways to reopen it,” commented crypto strategist Elena Torres of Arcane Markets. “ZEC is benefiting from that narrative right now.”
On-chain momentum and investor behavior
Trading volumes on major exchanges have doubled within 48 hours, and liquidity providers report a significant influx of capital from Asia-based accounts.
Data from CoinMetrics show that Zcash’s average daily transactions have increased 60 % month-to-month, while the number of active addresses is at a three-year high. These metrics signal renewed interest from both retail and institutional players seeking privacy-enhanced hedges amid geopolitical and regulatory uncertainty.
Zcash’s path forward
The Zcash Foundation has announced plans to accelerate the transition to a fully halo-based shielded network, further reducing transaction costs and enhancing scalability.
Analysts caution that while the recent spike is technically strong, profit-taking could occur if broader market sentiment weakens around Bitcoin or Ethereum. However, many see Zcash’s move above $520 as a psychological breakout that may set the stage for sustained growth in the privacy-coin segment.
Conclusion
With Zcash rising more than 20 % in a single day and hitting its highest price since 2018, the market is sending a clear signal: demand for financial privacy is not fading. As regulators tighten oversight worldwide, ZEC continues to stand at the center of the ongoing debate between transparency and individual freedom in the digital economy.
Editorial Team — CoinBotLab