Zcash is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency launched in 2016 by researchers and developers including the Electric Coin Company (ECC).
It is based on a similar codebase to Bitcoin — including a total supply cap of 21 million coins and a Proof-of-Work consensus mechanism.
What sets Zcash apart: it uses advanced cryptography (specifically zk-SNARKs, a type of zero-knowledge proof) to allow optional “shielded” transactions — enabling users to hide sender, receiver, and transaction amount, while still maintaining blockchain verifiability.
Users can choose between “transparent” addresses (public, like Bitcoin) or “shielded” addresses (private). This optional privacy gives users flexibility depending on their needs.
📈 Strengths & What Zcash Does Well
Strong cryptographic privacy: Its use of zk-SNARKs gives mathematically robust privacy guarantees for shielded transactions — potentially stronger than some alternatives.
Optional privacy — regulatory/compliance flexibility: Because privacy is optional (not mandatory), Zcash becomes more palatable to exchanges, regulators, and institutions than coins that enforce privacy on every transaction.
Scarcity and Bitcoin-like tokenomics: 21 M coin cap + halving schedule & decreasing issuance — factors that can support value over long term, especially if demand rises.
Active development and technical enhancements: Over time, Zcash has improved — for example, through the “Halo” / “Halo 2” upgrades that removed the need for a “trusted setup,” which strengthens decentralization and security.
Resurgence in 2025 — renewed interest in privacy coins: Recent data suggests ZEC has rebounded strongly. Some reports show a surge in price, increased shielded-pool adoption (i.e. more coins kept in privacy mode), and rising institutional interest
$BTC Recently, Bitcoin dropped nearly 2%, trading around ≈ $92,000.
The dip comes amid broader “risk-off” sentiment in markets — investors temporarily moving away from riskier assets.
But there’s also a rebound: Bitcoin bounced more than 10% after earlier weakness.
Some analysts remain cautiously bullish — with near-term resistance around $95,000–$98,000, and potential for a move toward $100,000 + if momentum returns.
Institutional demand seems to be creeping back: reduced supply on exchanges + renewed ETF flows may support prices if sentiment holds.
On the flip side: weak ETF demand and macro uncertainty (global markets, interest-rate expectations) could press prices down.