Zcash Surges to Eight-Year High, Surpasses Monero with $6.2B Market Cap

Zcash (ZEC) has surged to an eight-year high, reaching prices around $388 to $440 and achieving a market capitalization exceeding $6.2 billion, overtaking Monero as the most valuable privacy-focused cryptocurrency. This rally, which includes a 45% weekly increase and a nearly 200% gain in October alone, contrasts sharply with the broader crypto market's weakness amid geopolitical and regulatory challenges. Key factors fueling ZEC's rise include its advanced privacy technology using zk-SNARKs, endorsements and bullish price targets from influential crypto figures like Arthur Hayes and Naval Ravikant, and recent developments such as the integration of ZEC with Solana via light-client technology and wallet upgrades enabling cross-chain private payments. Trading volumes have spiked significantly, and on-chain data indicates growing adoption of Zcash's shielded transactions, suggesting sustained demand despite some caution from large holders selling portions of their ZEC. Technical analysis shows ZEC entering overbought territory but maintaining strong momentum, supported by key price floors and increasing activity in the privacy coin sector. Overall, Zcash's performance highlights a shift in investor interest toward privacy-centric cryptocurrencies during a period of market uncertainty and heightened regulatory scrutiny.