Overview
- ZEC jumped roughly 30% to near $600 on Wednesday in its heaviest 2026 trading, setting a new year-to-date high.
- Multicoin disclosed it built a “significant” ZEC stake since February, arguing that private assets can help shield holders from wealth taxes or seizures.
- The surge produced about $60 million in short liquidations and pushed derivatives interest to roughly $1.3 billion, signaling aggressive repositioning.
- Roughly 30% of all ZEC now sits in shielded addresses that hide the sender, recipient, and amount using zero-knowledge proofs.
- Access has broadened after Robinhood listed ZEC in late April and as Grayscale seeks to convert its Zcash trust, creating regulated on-ramps for retail users and funds.