Zcash Joins Crypto’s Top Ten While Bitcoin and Ether Stall
Zcash has climbed into the ten largest cryptocurrencies by market value, reaching about $21.4 billion, according to Kaiko. The token has gained roughly 2,076% since the start of 2025 and moved from around $400 to more than $1,680 in three months, with demand helped by Grayscale’s spot ZEC ETF. Monero also rallied before profit-taking, while two large traders opened 10x leveraged long positions in ZEC worth about $37.57 million.
Zcash’s rise to about $21.4 billion in market value, as reported by Kaiko, places it among the ten largest cryptocurrencies. CoinGecko figures cited in the article show a roughly 2,076% gain since January 1, 2025, and a climb from near $400 to above $1,680 in three months. Grayscale’s spot ZEC ETF, launched August 25, coincided with daily spot volume nearly tripling.
Monero gained 17% over seven days and touched $626 on October 20 before profit-taking pushed it over 8% lower to $572 the next day. Lookonchain tracked two traders opening 10x leveraged ZEC longs totaling 29,798 tokens, about $37.57 million, across 15 hours. PEPE and M also rebounded, while Bitcoin and Ether moved little.
The concentration of gains in privacy coins and memecoins could affect retail traders and smaller investors who chase narrow rallies, potentially exposing them to sharper reversals and leveraged losses. Easier access through a spot ZEC ETF may broaden participation, while privacy-focused assets could draw more attention to financial confidentiality. Still, because Bitcoin and Ether are relatively flat, the broader market may feel limited spillover; any societal impact likely depends on whether these niche flows persist or remain speculative.