Zcash (ZEC) Hits Historic Highs: Privacy Token Surges 750% in a Month

In the world of cryptocurrencies, where privacy is becoming a key trend, Zcash (ZEC) is demonstrating a true breakthrough. Over the past month, the token's price has surged by an impressive 750%, reaching over $600 per unit - a level not seen since 2018. Today, November 11, ZEC is trading at $484.86, with a daily gain of 23.72%, and a market capitalization exceeding $7.9 billion, propelling the token into the top 20 largest crypto assets. This rally not only revives ZEC after years of stagnation but also highlights the growing demand for private transactions in an era of heightened regulation.

What is Zcash?

Zcash is a decentralized cryptocurrency launched on October 28, 2016, based on Bitcoin's code but with a revolutionary focus on privacy. Unlike Bitcoin, where all transactions are public, Zcash uses advanced zk-SNARK (zero-knowledge succinct non-interactive argument of knowledge) technology - zero-knowledge proofs that allow transaction verification without revealing details. Users can choose between "transparent" addresses (like BTC) and "shielded" ones, where the sender, receiver, and amount are hidden.

The network operates on the Equihash (proof-of-work) algorithm, with a fixed supply of 21 million tokens, similar to Bitcoin. ZEC is used for payments, smart contracts, and DeFi with an emphasis on privacy, making it ideal for users seeking to avoid surveillance. Currently, over 30% of network transactions are shielded, and the shielded pool holds about 4.8 million ZEC (25% of total supply). Developers, such as Electric Coin Co., continuously upgrade the network: in Q4 2025, integration of ephemeral addresses is expected for even better anonymity in swaps.

How $ZEC Grew: From the Bottom to a Privacy Star

ZEC's history is a classic comeback story. Its all-time high reached $5941.80 in October 2016, but it later fell to a low of $15.97 in July 2024 due to competition from other privacy coins (like Monero) and regulatory pressure. However, 2025 became a turning point: since the beginning of the year, ZEC has risen by over 1270%, and since October - by 750%, becoming one of the market's top performers.

Key growth drivers:

• On November 11, miner rewards were reduced from 1.56 ZEC to 0.78 ZEC per block, cutting new issuance by 50%. Historically, Zcash halvings (like in 2020) led to +92% rallies.
• Shielded transactions grew to 30%, and the Zashi wallet gained popularity among users. The Maelstrom Fund by Arthur Hayes included ZEC in its top assets as "private infrastructure for DEX."
• Privacy coins are in vogue due to regulations (like MiCA in the EU), and ZEC is positioned as "encrypted Bitcoin." Analysts predict $600 by the end of November and $1000 in 2025 if the rally continues.

Over 7 days, ZEC added 28.94%; over 30 days - 216.86%, with volatility at 34.60%. Sentiment is currently bullish, despite the Fear & Greed Index at 29 (fear). Experts from CoinDesk and CoinMarketCap note that ZEC is not just speculative hype but a fundamental asset for privacy in DeFi.