Zcash (ZEC) climbed over 18% in the last three days to $559.44 as of May 19, 2026, part of a broader 73% rally over the past month that has seen privacy-focused tokens significantly outperform the wider crypto market.
The move has gained traction from influential market figures, including BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes, who recently suggested ZEC’s market capitalization could one day reach 10 percent of Bitcoin’s (BTC). “That would imply a price of $9,225 per coin,” according to an analysis based on current circulating supply.
From a technical perspective, the ZEC/USD pair has formed a cup-and-handle pattern, a bullish signal that traders watch closely. According to analysis from Cointelegraph, a decisive breakout above the neckline resistance area of $625–$650 could set the stage for a rally toward $1,091 by June or July. This target represents an 88% increase from current prices and aligns with the 1.618 Fibonacci extension level drawn from recent swing highs and lows.
The rally is not happening in isolation. The entire privacy coin sector has shown strength, with Monero (XMR) and Dash (DASH) also posting gains. This sector-specific momentum comes as the total crypto market capitalization has remained nearly flat, rising just 0.2% over the same monthly period, according to TradingView data. The renewed interest in privacy coins is fueled by heightened demand for financial anonymity, a core feature of Zcash, which uses zero-knowledge proofs to shield transaction details.
Recent catalysts have added to the bullish case. The token was recently listed on the popular retail trading app Robinhood, increasing its accessibility. Furthermore, Multicoin Capital disclosed it holds a significant position in ZEC, signaling growing institutional confidence in the once-overlooked privacy coin.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
