ZEC is the mainstream of the privacy-coin sector, using optional privacy via zero-knowledge proofs (zk-SNARK). It supports both transparent and shielded addresses. This is what earned it an entry ticket to a U.S. stock ETF that Monero couldn’t get. Its hard-currency characteristics copy Bitcoin’s fixed 21 million cap plus a 4-year halving schedule; currently about 16.9 million coins are in circulation—around 80%.
In 2026, its three biggest catalysts:
1/ZCSH spot ETF begins trading on NYSE Arca on August 25, the world’s first U.S. stock privacy-coin ETF (fee rate 2.5%, AUM once exceeding $400 million).
2/SEC investigation closed with a finding of no wrongdoing (January/May), removing the biggest regulatory Sword of Damocles.
3/Ironwood (NU6.3) mainnet upgrade on July 28 fixes an Orchard circuit vulnerability that had been lurking for 4 years—potentially allowing counterfeit coins to be created out of thin air. It uses a gating mechanism to lock any potential fake coins into the old pool.
From 37 last year to 1393 yuan today $ZEC
Up about 3656.8%
In 2026, its three biggest catalysts:
1/ZCSH spot ETF begins trading on NYSE Arca on August 25, the world’s first U.S. stock privacy-coin ETF (fee rate 2.5%, AUM once exceeding $400 million).
2/SEC investigation closed with a finding of no wrongdoing (January/May), removing the biggest regulatory Sword of Damocles.
3/Ironwood (NU6.3) mainnet upgrade on July 28 fixes an Orchard circuit vulnerability that had been lurking for 4 years—potentially allowing counterfeit coins to be created out of thin air. It uses a gating mechanism to lock any potential fake coins into the old pool.
From 37 last year to 1393 yuan today $ZEC
Up about 3656.8%