2025-12-30 15:22:23

Recently, the privacy coin market has been quite interesting. The well-known short seller "Shanzhai Air Force Leader" suddenly closed a $710,000 ZEC short position and turned to short other cryptocurrencies. This signal is quite meaningful.

What’s more eye-catching is that Nasdaq-listed company Cypherpunk has recently made a big move—invested $29 million to aggressively increase their ZEC holdings, with an average price of $514, now holding 1.76% of the circulating supply. The key point is, they are still calling for more purchases, aiming to reach 5% of the circulating supply. They are really serious about absorbing it.

Why are institutions suddenly interested in ZEC?

First, privacy needs are heating up. News of data leaks is coming one after another, and large institutions are starting to shift toward assets with stronger privacy features. Grayscale’s report specifically pointed out that ZEC is the most promising among the six major privacy coins.

Second, on-chain signals are very strong. The shield pool lock-up amount for Zcash has already surpassed 5 million ZEC, accounting for 30% of the circulating supply, hitting a new all-time high. This indicates that holders are very optimistic—willing to hold even in a bad market.

Additionally, industry heavyweights are supporting. BitMEX founder has publicly stated that ZEC’s first target is $1,000. Since December, it has risen over 70%, and according to this target, there’s still plenty of room to grow.

Opportunities in the privacy sector are not limited to ZEC alone. Grayscale’s forecast clearly indicates that privacy coins will continue to explode through 2026. Besides ZEC, coins like XMR, DASH, DCR, BAT, and BDX are also mentioned. Among them, XMR’s on-chain activity has been leading, and smaller-cap coins may still have a chance for a rebound.

The logic behind this market movement is quite clear—shorts are retreating, institutions are stepping in, on-chain data is hitting record highs, and industry reports are backing it. The privacy coin rally might just be halfway through.

ZEC-0,3%

DASH2,78%

DCR-1,53%

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MevShadowranger

· 2025-12-31 02:31

Shorts are liquidating, institutions are accumulating, on-chain highs are being reached... this rhythm feels off, like someone is paving the way for ZEC.

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SatsStacking

· 2025-12-30 15:52

Shorts have all run away, institutions are eating up, this is a signal --- ZEC dropped from 514 to 1000? Let’s see what the market’s attitude is first --- The 30% lock-up in the shield pool is indeed aggressive, but don’t forget the risk game rules in the crypto world --- Cypherpunk spent 29 million to aim for 5%, that’s something --- Privacy coins are expected to explode only in 2026? I’m more concerned about whether they can break the support level soon --- XMR’s activity is leading, why hasn’t it risen yet? That’s the real issue --- Shorts cutting orders just look bullish? Don’t be fooled, friends --- Grayscale’s endorsement + institutional buy-in, this wave’s logic really makes sense --- Just up 70% and shouting about $1000, you gotta tell a better story --- The rising demand for privacy is real, but how much premium the market can give is another matter

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BlockchainBrokenPromise

· 2025-12-30 15:52

ZEC this wave is indeed a bit different, institutions are really throwing money in The big short sellers suddenly admit defeat, this signal is indeed perfect... Switching to short other assets just means they won't dare to touch ZEC anymore Cypherpunk wants to eat 5% of the circulating supply? This is really building a position, not just playing around. Such institutional behavior is still convincing Privacy coins will explode in 2026... Just listen to it, these predictions are quite exaggerated, but can on-chain data deceive us? Locking 5 million ZEC is indeed impressive A $1000 target sounds a bit unrealistic, but from the current price level, there is indeed room for imagination... The key question is whether to get on board or not XMR's on-chain activity has always been impressive, and these smaller coins are even more worth paying attention to for a rebound. On the other hand, chasing ZEC now might be a bit... Half-time theory is good, but you need to be careful about the game of institutions taking over and you following along

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BearMarketSurvivor

· 2025-12-30 15:50

The shorts have all run away, and institutions are starting to buy the dip. I've seen this pattern too many times. ZEC this time really has some potential.

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MoonlightGamer

· 2025-12-30 15:30

Short sellers get liquidated by institutions, this combo punch is pretty fierce Institutions are pouring real money in, it’s not just playing around 30% lock-up in the shield pool, this data is indeed convincing ZEC to 1000? Let’s see if it can break 600 first before bragging Privacy coins are serious this time, but it depends on whether follow-up funds come in Why does it feel like all kinds of small coins this year are talking about privacy stories Institutional layout means stability? I have some doubts about that Grayscale backing until 2026, we’ll have to wait two years to see the outcome XMR’s on-chain activity is leading, this is worth watching The shield pool hitting a new high is a good sign, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it will rise Did the short sellers really withdraw or are they just inducing more buying? That’s the real question Privacy sector is hot, but how much ZEC can actually benefit is the key

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StablecoinEnjoyer

· 2025-12-30 15:25

Institutions are really seriously buying ZEC this time, and it's not the usual pump-and-dump tactic; there's a different vibe this time. Are the bears already backing down? Then we definitely need to take a look. 30% of the shield pool's circulating supply is locked, this data is pretty impressive, not lying. $1000? Let's first see if a 70% increase can be sustained. The privacy track won't explode until 2026? Then is it too early to enter now? The on-chain popularity of XMR has been steady, and I believe in its potential for small-cap coins to catch up.

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