Zcash and Monero Surge as Bitcoin Stalls

Bitcoin and Ethereum have been trading sideways, showing little movement. In contrast, privacy-focused cryptocurrencies like Zcash and Monero have been leading gains among the largest coins over the past 24 hours, as reported by Decrypt.

Zcash (ZEC) is currently trading between $1,300 and $1,370, marking a year-to-date gain of over 700%. It reached an all-time high of nearly $1,699 on September 26, 2026, before experiencing a pullback. Meanwhile, Monero (XMR) is priced around $560, still recovering from its peak of approximately $801 in January 2026.

The broader privacy coin sector has seen a 205% increase since April 2026, adding around $24.5 billion in market capitalization by late September 2026. Zcash’s recent gains have been fueled by the launch of the ZCSH ETF on NYSE Arca on August 25, 2026, which initially attracted significant inflows before recent outflows. Additionally, Zcash’s network upgrade, known as NU7, activated faster blocks at 25-second intervals in early October 2026.

Monero, known for its strong reputation among privacy purists, continues to face potential delistings despite its ongoing use in decentralized transactions. Unlike Zcash, Monero lacks a comparable ETF product to support its growth.

The stagnation of Bitcoin, which is trading below its October 2025 peak, highlights the standout performance of privacy coins. For investors, the ETF effect on Zcash demonstrates both its potential and risks, as institutional money can amplify both rallies and drawdowns. The widening gap between Zcash and Monero underscores the importance of regulated access in attracting mainstream capital. Both coins, however, carry significant risks, including sharp corrections and delisting threats.