Grayscale Points to Zcash Among Six Privacy Coins to Watch

TheNewsCryptoPublicado a 2025-12-30Actualizado a 2025-12-30

Resumen

Grayscale's Q4 2025 report highlights six top-performing privacy-focused cryptocurrencies: Zcash, Monero, Dash, Decred, Basic Attention Token, and Beldex. Zcash led not only the privacy segment but the entire Top 20 assets tracked. The Shield Pool, a core privacy feature of Zcash, reached a record high with over 5 million ZEC (30% of supply) locked, indicating strong holder confidence despite price volatility. ZEC’s price rebounded over 70% in December, reinforcing its privacy value proposition. Institutional interest is shifting toward privacy assets amid growing data breach scandals. Grayscale forecasts continued growth in 2026, driven by integration with DeFi and Web3 applications.

Grayscale has identified six privacy-focused cryptocurrencies as standout performers in its Q4 2025 report. The investment firm, one of the largest cryptocurrency asset managers globally, highlighted Zcash, Monero, Dash, Decred, Basic Attention Token, and Beldex as leading assets during the quarter.

Zcash led not only the privacy segment but the entire Top 20 universe tracked by Grayscale. The quarter was characterized as a consolidation phase following strong growth periods, yet privacy coins outperformed most other categories during this timeframe.

Zcash Shield Pool activity reaches record levels

Data from zkp.baby shows the amount of ZEC locked in the Shield Pool surpassed 5 million tokens, accounting for approximately 30% of circulating supply. This marks a new all-time high for the privacy feature.

The Shield Pool functions as a core component of Zcash’s architecture. Users convert ZEC from transparent addresses to shielded addresses through this mechanism, providing enhanced privacy for transactions.

The amount of ZEC in Shield Pools remained around 4.8 million throughout November. This stability persisted while ZEC’s price declined by nearly 60% at one point. The data suggests holders maintained positions through volatility rather than selling during downturns.

December brought a price rebound exceeding 70% for Zcash. Shield Pools simultaneously set new all-time highs. These developments appear to have reinforced investor confidence in the asset’s privacy value proposition.

Arthur Hayes, former CEO of BitMEX and prominent cryptocurrency investor, issued a bullish outlook on ZEC. “The tears of the bears shall be my sustenance. ZEC first stop $1,000,” Hayes stated.

Institutional focus shifts toward privacy assets

Grayscale’s Q4 report emphasized that institutional interest is shifting toward assets offering stronger privacy features. This trend intensifies as data breach scandals continue surfacing across technology platforms and traditional finance systems.

The investment firm reported that privacy-related tokens dominated the Top 20 performer list during Q4 2025. The six highlighted coins each delivered returns that exceeded most other cryptocurrency categories during the consolidation period.

Grayscale forecasts continued growth for the privacy coin segment throughout 2026. Integration with decentralized finance protocols and Web3 applications is expected to drive this expansion as developers build privacy features into mainstream blockchain applications.

Preguntas relacionadas

QWhich six privacy-focused cryptocurrencies did Grayscale highlight in its Q4 2025 report?

AGrayscale highlighted Zcash, Monero, Dash, Decred, Basic Attention Token, and Beldex.

QWhat was the new all-time high for the Zcash Shield Pool, as mentioned in the article?

AThe amount of ZEC locked in the Shield Pool surpassed 5 million tokens, accounting for approximately 30% of the circulating supply.

QHow did Zcash's price perform in December, according to the report?

AZcash's price rebounded by over 70% in December.

QWhat reason does Grayscale give for the growing institutional interest in privacy assets?

AInstitutional interest is shifting toward privacy assets due to intensifying data breach scandals across technology platforms and traditional finance systems.

QWhat is Arthur Hayes' bullish price prediction for ZEC, as quoted in the article?

AArthur Hayes stated, 'ZEC first stop $1,000.'

Lecturas Relacionadas

Bitcoin: Will a $130.5M whale move derail BTC’s push toward $70K?

A long-term Bitcoin whale moved 2,000 BTC (worth $130.5 million), transferring 800 BTC to an OTC desk (Cumberland) and 1,200 BTC to new addresses. While this suggests a potential partial sale, it did not negatively impact BTC's price, which continued its bullish trend to around $66,195. Technical indicators like the Stochastic Momentum Index and Squeeze Momentum Indicator remain positive, supporting a potential push toward $70,000. However, on-chain metrics show rising pressure. The Bitcoin Fund Flow Ratio and Exchange Netflow have turned positive, indicating increased inflows to exchanges. This typically raises the risk of short-term selling, which could weaken momentum and potentially test support near $64,800 if profit-taking persists.

ambcryptoHace 7 min(s)

Bitcoin: Will a $130.5M whale move derail BTC’s push toward $70K?

ambcryptoHace 7 min(s)

XRP Ledger Axelar Integration Opens A New Cross-Chain DeFi Route

The XRP Ledger has integrated with Axelar's interoperability stack, enabling XRP and other XRPL-native assets to move into cross-chain DeFi environments on EVM and Cosmos-based networks. This provides a bridge for XRP's significant liquidity to reach a wider array of decentralized finance applications beyond its native ecosystem. Importantly, the integration does not make XRPL a native EVM chain; it focuses on improving connectivity and utility. The move addresses the growing market expectation for multi-chain asset usability. However, the ultimate success of this integration depends on actual user adoption, the building of liquidity in DeFi protocols, and the development of practical cross-chain applications utilizing XRP.

bitcoinistHace 9 min(s)

XRP Ledger Axelar Integration Opens A New Cross-Chain DeFi Route

bitcoinistHace 9 min(s)

Ripple MiCA Authorization Opens A Wider European Payments Lane

Ripple has obtained full MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) authorization in Europe. This regulatory approval provides a clearer path for Ripple's corporate payment entity to offer crypto-enabled payment services across the European Union and European Economic Area. It is important to note that this authorization specifically applies to Ripple's business operations under MiCA, not a blanket endorsement of XRP trading itself. The authorization is significant for Ripple's strategy, as the unified MiCA framework simplifies scaling across Europe for compliant firms. This regulatory clarity can facilitate partnerships with banks, payment providers, and institutional clients by addressing compliance concerns. While the development supports the broader XRP narrative by reducing regulatory uncertainty for Ripple's core payments business, it does not directly translate to regulatory approval for XRP as an investment product. The true impact on XRP will depend on whether this regulatory milestone leads to increased adoption, new client partnerships, and greater payment volume in European corridors. The approval reflects a broader trend where crypto firms are seeking regulatory footing in Europe due to MiCA's comprehensive rulebook, contrasting with the uncertain regulatory landscape in the United States. Ultimately, the license is a permission to operate; its success hinges on Ripple's ability to convert this regulatory advantage into tangible business growth and adoption.

bitcoinistHace 24 min(s)

Ripple MiCA Authorization Opens A Wider European Payments Lane

bitcoinistHace 24 min(s)

Chainlink CCIP Joins Central Bank Digital Asset Pilots

Chainlink's Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP) is being tested in several central bank digital asset pilots, including Brazil's Drex initiative, Hong Kong's Ensemble network, and the HKMA's e-HKD+ program involving ANZ Bank. These institutional trials, though not yet full commercial deployments, are significant for testing interoperability, secure cross-chain messaging, and settlement in regulated environments. The pilots demonstrate a growing institutional focus on how different tokenized systems can communicate for cross-border trade and payments. For Chainlink, participation enhances its credibility in the institutional market, positioning CCIP as potential infrastructure for a future of interconnected digital asset networks. The article emphasizes that while these are early-stage experiments, they represent a key step in the adoption process for blockchain technology in traditional finance.

bitcoinistHace 39 min(s)

Chainlink CCIP Joins Central Bank Digital Asset Pilots

bitcoinistHace 39 min(s)

XRP Ledger Amendments Near Validator Vote Deadline

The XRP Ledger is approaching a key deadline for validators to vote on proposed protocol amendments, highlighting the network's governance process for upgrades. Changes do not activate automatically upon code release; they require sustained support from 80% of validators. This system prioritizes stability and broad consensus over rushed changes. While these amendments can shape the ledger's future utility in payments, asset issuance, and decentralized exchange, their activation is not guaranteed. The outcome of this voting window represents an infrastructure and governance checkpoint, with long-term impact depending on subsequent developer adoption and user demand, rather than serving as a direct market catalyst.

bitcoinistHace 53 min(s)

XRP Ledger Amendments Near Validator Vote Deadline

bitcoinistHace 53 min(s)

Trading

Spot