Zcash (ZEC) was launched in 2016 by the Electric Coin Company as a privacy-focused cryptocurrency derived from earlier Zerocash protocol innovations. It introduced zk-SNARKs (Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Arguments of Knowledge) to enable transactions that can be fully shielded for anonymity while allowing selective disclosure and auditability. Optional privacy through shielded transactions therefore allows users to choose transparency or privacy. Other privacy chains like Monero (XMR) on the other hand enforce privacy unconditionally on all transactions, making it fully fungible and untraceable. What is the better model?
Besides that there is also the question of network security. Recently, Monero suffered a 51% attack when Qubic took control of a majority of Monero’s hash rate (ups!). This attack caused price crashes and led to some exchanges halting Monero deposits. So it seems XMR isn't that battle tested after all...
In contrast, Zcash outperformed Monero during this period. One advantage we can see now is that a different mining algorithm (Equihash) has helped avoid such an attack. As such, ZEC seems to be gaining an advantage recently. We can clearly see this in the chart.
TA
Overall ZEC's performance has been very modest. In 2017 it made a 40x gain and in 2021 a 20x. Not bad, but far from the crazy moves we have seen in other chains. Today, price is facing this multi year resistance and a break out to the top seems more likely.
A move to the 80s is almost guaranteed. But that wouldn't be very impressive at all since it's only a 4x from 2024 lows.
Overall we could see something like this. Take the second peak in 2026 with a grain of salt since it is still quite uncertain if we will get an Alt peak there.
If so, we could see price rise into the 3 digits. But how far could it go? If we take the most conservative scenario (presuming that the market will rise overall), we could see a move to around $120-$150.
In the most bullish scenario I could see a return to former ATHs which would be in the 700s.
A move like that would indicate a 40-60x which is... quite much. Too much? We will see soon enough.
As a general reminder: Please keep in mind that none of this is official investment advice! Crypto trading entails a great deal of risk; never spend money that you can't afford to lose!
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I remember owning some zcash back in 2017, now it just feels like one of the many old cycle coins that is just dead in the water and will never return. I have no clue if there is any development or of anyone is actially using it though. just too mant coins out there and it feels only a couple hot new-cycle coins are getting all the attention and bids.
I would be highly surprised if we see another crazy altcoin season where just everything pumps like crazy.
Yeah, with so many more coins there simply isn't enough money to pump everything I guess