Hoffman Sees Zcash as 'ETH of 2026', Predicts NEAR Rise in Smart Contracts

Bankless co-founder David Hoffman predicts that Zcash (ZEC) will become one of the leading cryptocurrencies among Bitcoin investors by 2026, along with NEAR Protocol becoming a dominant force in smart contract platforms.

Hoffman notes that ZEC's market value has risen from approximately $200 million to $26 billion, and points out that many investors are wondering where this strong buying pressure is coming from.

According to Hoffman, Bitcoin investors occasionally switch to different cryptocurrencies, and when a significant number do so in unison, it can create a mass capital influx. He suggests that ZEC has become a sufficiently strong alternative for Bitcoin investors due to its technological features and potential benefits of quantum computers on Bitcoin.

Hoffman believes that instead of focusing on the price increase against the dollar, it's essential to look at the market capitalization difference between Zcash and Bitcoin. He notes that even a small fraction of Bitcoin holders investing in ZEC can have a significant impact on its price.