Zcash and Monero lead gains as Bitcoin remains flat
Zcash (ZEC) and Monero (XMR) led gains among large cryptocurrencies over 24 hours, with ZEC trading between $1,300 and $1,370, up over 700% year-to-date. Monero is priced around $560. Privacy coins collectively gained 205% since April 2026, adding $24.5B in market cap. Grayscale's ZCSH ETF saw initial inflows but recent outflows. Zcash upgraded its network, while Monero faces potential delistings.
How this was made
The 30-second read
Why it matters
The NU7 upgrade provides a fresh technical catalyst for ZEC, while ETF outflows and lack of institutional products for XMR create headwinds.
Market read
Privacy coins are outperforming the broader crypto market, but institutional dynamics and regulatory risk differentiate ZEC and XMR.
What to watch
Potential regulatory scrutiny of privacy coins could emerge, affecting both ZEC and XMR regardless of technical changes.
Background
The article reviews recent performance of major privacy cryptocurrencies, noting ZEC's network upgrade and XMR's delisting risk.
Ticker impact
Zcash activated its NU7 network upgrade with faster 25‑second blocks in early October 2026.
potential modest upside if upgrade drives usage, offset by pressure from ETF redemptions
Technical upgrade is a fresh catalyst, yet fund outflows suggest mixed short‑term sentiment.
Monero faces ongoing delisting risk and has no comparable ETF support, while its price remains below its January 2026 peak.
likely pressure as investors stay cautious about liquidity risk
Absence of institutional ETF backing and regulatory uncertainty create downside bias.
Market effects
Privacy‑coin sector shows strong YTD gains, but ETF flows create divergent pressure between ZEC and XMR.
Global crypto markets may see modest reallocation toward ZEC if the upgrade proves beneficial.
Highlights the influence of institutional ETF products on crypto price dynamics.
Counterpoint
Despite the upgrade, ZEC could face short‑term sell‑off as traders lock in gains after the recent rally.
Key entities
- cryptocurrencyZcash
Privacy‑focused coin that launched the NU7 upgrade.
- cryptocurrencyMonero
Privacy coin facing potential delistings and lacking ETF support.
