Grayscale Launches First US Zcash ETF. Why Now

cryptonews.ruPublished on 2026-08-25Last updated on 2026-08-25

Abstract

Grayscale has launched the first U.S.-based spot ETF for the cryptocurrency Zcash, which began trading on NYSE Arca under the ticker ZCSH on August 25. This ETF was converted from the Grayscale Zcash Trust, established in October 2017. Grayscale's Head of Indices, Steve Van Urni, stated the move responds to growing investor demand to access digital assets beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum through existing brokerage accounts. Zcash (ZEC) is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency launched in 2016, allowing users to choose between transparent and shielded transactions using zk-SNARKs technology. It has been a top performer in 2025 and this spring, currently ranking 11th by market cap at around $14 billion. Van Urni highlighted Zcash's nearly decade-long history, its Bitcoin-like principles including a 21 million coin limit, and its optional privacy features as key differentiators. Despite a critical vulnerability discovered in June, developers resolved the issue with the Ironwood network upgrade in July. Grayscale plans to monitor the adoption of Ironwood and regulatory developments concerning privacy assets like Zcash. The price of ZEC was around $820 on August 25, having surged 64% over the previous week and over 1800% in the past year. The ETF is primarily targeted at self-directed and advised investors seeking exposure to ZEC.

The spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) for the cryptocurrency Zcash from Grayscale began trading on the NYSE Arca exchange under the ticker ZCSH on August 25, reports Decrypt. It was converted from the Grayscale Zcash Trust, which was created back in October 2017.

"Grayscale has long been focused on identifying promising technologies and investment themes, and the nine-year history of this fund is the most obvious signal of demand," said Grayscale's Head of Indexes, Steve Van Urn, in an interview with the publication.

Zcash ($ZEC) is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency launched in 2016. In Zcash, users can choose between transparent and private transactions. The latter use zk-SNARKs technology, which allows the correctness of an operation to be verified without revealing its contents.

$ZEC has been a leader in growth both in 2025 and this spring. It currently ranks 11th on Coinmarketcap with a market capitalization of around $14 billion.

According to Van Urn, the emerging demand determined the right moment to launch the $ZEC ETF. Grayscale expects it to be of interest primarily to self-directed and advised investors who wish to invest in $ZEC through a brokerage account.

"Investors are increasingly looking to access digital assets, beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum, through the brokerage accounts they already use, and Zcash occupies a unique place in this segment. This cryptocurrency has a nearly decade-long history, it's built on Bitcoin's principles, including its algorithm and 21 million coin supply limit, but also offers an optional privacy technology that Bitcoin lacks," said Van Urn.

In June, a critical vulnerability was discovered in Zcash, but a month later, developers activated the Ironwood update and the issue was resolved.

Van Urn stated that Grayscale will monitor the further rollout of Ironwood. The company is also closely watching regulatory developments concerning privacy assets like Zcash.

The price of $ZEC fluctuated around $820 on August 25. This coin is one of the top gainers over the past week, during which it added 64%. Zcash's growth over the year is more than 1800%.

"RBC-Crypto" does not provide investment advice; the material is published for informational purposes only. Cryptocurrency is a volatile asset and can lead to financial losses.

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Related Questions

QWhat is the main news reported in this article?

AThe article reports that Grayscale launched the first U.S. ETF on Zcash, which began trading on NYSE Arca under the ticker ZCSH on August 25th.

QWhich key technology does Zcash use for private transactions?

AZcash uses the zk-SNARKs technology to enable private transactions, allowing verification of a transaction's correctness without revealing its contents.

QAccording to the article, why did Grayscale find the current moment suitable for launching the Zcash ETF?

AAccording to Grayscale's Head of Indexes, Steve Van Urnie, the emerging demand for access to digital assets beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum through existing brokerage accounts defined the suitable moment for the launch.

QWhat was the performance of ZEC ($ZEC) in terms of price growth mentioned in the article?

AThe article states that the price of ZEC was fluctuating around $820 on August 25th. It was one of the top performers over the past week, gaining 64%, and had grown over 1800% in the past year.

QWhat recent challenge did Zcash face, and how was it resolved?

AIn June, a critical vulnerability was discovered in Zcash. The issue was resolved a month later when developers activated the Ironwood upgrade.

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