While the broader cryptocurrency market remains largely stagnant, Zcash (ZEC) has emerged as a standout performer. Trading above $442 after a 10% jump in the last 24 hours, ZEC is capturing investor attention through a combination of technical upgrades and a softening regulatory environment.
The primary catalyst for Zcash's recent rally appears to be a shift in how regulators view privacy. Following a US SEC Privacy Roundtable on December 15, sentiment has pivoted from viewing privacy-centric coins as inherent risks to acknowledging privacy as a legitimate pillar of financial systems.
This shift has significantly reduced fears regarding exchange delistings and has encouraged institutional participation. Notably, Cypherpunk Technologies recently bolstered market confidence by adding $68 million worth of ZEC to its treasury.
Analyst Note: Despite the surge, some experts, including Raoul Pal, remain cautious. They suggest the rally may be driven by short-term capital reallocation. For a true structural breakout, Zcash must maintain its outperformance even when the rest of the market begins to move upward.
Zcash is also making strides in its underlying infrastructure with the launch of Zebra 3.1.0. This update moves the network closer to a modern, Rust-based node framework. Key improvements include:
Following a long period of consolidation above $375, ZEC’s technical profile is turning increasingly bullish. Sustained trading volume suggests there is still room for growth rather than immediate exhaustion.
While the outlook remains cautiously optimistic, investors are keeping a close eye on whether ZEC can clear the $450 hurdle to solidify this rally as a long-term trend.
December 2025, Cryptoniteuae