Zcash Climbs to 14th Largest Crypto, Surpassing Stellar Amid Privacy Surge

• Zcash market cap hits $9.41 billion, overtaking Stellar’s $8.88 billion for 14th rank.

• Zcash surged 1,172% year-to-date, driven by increased adoption of its privacy features.

• From $54 in late September, ZEC reached $748 before settling at $589, up 5.59% in 24 hours and 41% weekly.

Discover how Zcash surpassed Stellar in market cap with a massive 1,172% yearly surge. Explore privacy coin trends and what this means for crypto investors today – stay informed on ZEC’s rise.

What is Zcash and How Has It Surpassed Stellar in Market Cap?

Zcash (ZEC) is a privacy-focused cryptocurrency launched in 2016 as a fork of Bitcoin’s codebase, enabling anonymous transactions through zero-knowledge proofs. In recent weeks, ZEC’s price has risen significantly, boosting its market capitalization to $9.41 billion and propelling it to the 14th largest cryptocurrency by market cap. This development has positioned Zcash ahead of Stellar (XLM), which currently holds an $8.88 billion valuation, marking a notable shift in the rankings among privacy and payment-oriented tokens.

What Factors Are Driving Zcash’s Recent Price Surge?

Zcash’s ascent began in late September when its price hovered below $54, leading to an unrelenting climb that peaked at $748 on a recent Friday – levels not seen since January 2018. At the time of this report, ZEC trades at $589, reflecting a 5.59% increase over the past 24 hours despite a broader market downturn, and a robust 41% gain weekly. Year-to-date, Zcash has achieved a staggering 1,172% surge, eclipsing Monero to claim the title of the largest privacy token by market capitalization.

Unlike previous rallies fueled by hype, this growth appears rooted in genuine utility. Data from blockchain analytics platforms indicate rising adoption of Zcash’s shielded transactions, which use zk-SNARKs technology to obscure transaction details while verifying validity. According to reports from CoinMarketCap, this shift in perception toward privacy in cryptocurrency has contributed to sustained demand. Experts in the field, such as blockchain researcher Sarah Meiklejohn, have noted in past analyses that zero-knowledge proofs offer a scalable solution for privacy without compromising network efficiency, a factor likely amplifying ZEC’s appeal amid growing regulatory scrutiny on transparent blockchains.

Courtesy: CoinMarketCap

Historically, Zcash has maintained a niche but dedicated following due to its focus on financial privacy. Created by the Electric Coin Company, it forked from Bitcoin to incorporate advanced cryptographic features, allowing users to opt for private “shielded” addresses. Recent on-chain metrics show a marked increase in such transactions, correlating with the price momentum. This real-world usage contrasts with speculative booms, positioning Zcash as a more resilient asset in the privacy coin sector.

Market observers attribute part of this success to broader trends in decentralized finance, where privacy tools are gaining traction. For instance, integrations with DeFi protocols and wallet providers have expanded ZEC’s accessibility. Statistics from ecosystem trackers reveal that daily active addresses for Zcash have doubled in the last quarter, underscoring organic growth rather than artificial pumps.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Caused Zcash to Surpass Stellar’s Market Capitalization?

Zcash overtook Stellar due to a 1,172% year-to-date price increase, pushing its market cap to $9.41 billion. This outpaced XLM’s 175% annual growth, which kept its valuation at $8.88 billion. Key drivers include heightened privacy demand and shielded transaction adoption, as per blockchain data from sources like CoinMarketCap.

How Does Zcash’s Privacy Technology Compare to Other Cryptocurrencies?

Zcash uses zero-knowledge proofs via zk-SNARKs to enable fully private transactions, unlike Bitcoin’s public ledger or Stellar’s focus on fast payments. This allows senders, receivers, and amounts to remain hidden while confirming validity. It’s particularly suited for users prioritizing confidentiality in everyday crypto use, making it a standout in voice-activated queries about secure digital assets.

Key Takeaways

• Zcash’s Market Leadership: With a $9.41 billion cap, ZEC now ranks 14th, surpassing XLM and leading privacy coins after a 1,172% yearly surge.
• Utility-Driven Growth: Increased shielded transactions and real adoption, not speculation, fuel Zcash’s rise, backed by on-chain metrics showing doubled active addresses.
• Implications for Investors: Monitor privacy trends; potential for further gains if regulatory clarity boosts demand – consider diversified exposure to tokens like ZEC.

Conclusion

Zcash’s surge past Stellar in market capitalization underscores the evolving landscape of privacy coins in cryptocurrency, with ZEC’s zero-knowledge proofs driving authentic adoption and a 1,172% yearly gain. As developer activity and transaction volumes rise, Zcash solidifies its position as a key player. Investors should watch for continued momentum in privacy-focused technologies, potentially signaling broader shifts in the $9.41 billion-valued asset’s trajectory amid 2025’s market dynamics.

Stellar’s Recent Developments and Future Outlook

While Zcash captures headlines with its price momentum, Stellar (XLM) demonstrates underlying network strength that could influence its trajectory. In the latest quarter, the Stellar network experienced a 37% increase in full-time developers, expanding at approximately eight times the industry average rate. This influx added 1,450 new developers, representing a 70% rise from the previous quarter.

Smart contract activity on Stellar has also accelerated, with daily invocations nearly doubling to over 1 million. By quarter’s end, total invocations reached 157 million, highlighting robust usage in areas like cross-border payments and tokenized assets. The Stellar Ambassador program further bolstered community engagement, onboarding 400 new participants and hosting 160 events, with double-digit growth in regions such as Latin America and Asia Pacific.

These metrics point to a thriving ecosystem, yet XLM’s price has lagged, posting only a 175% yearly increase compared to Zcash’s explosive growth. Analysts from platforms like Messari emphasize that such developer expansion often precedes price appreciation in blockchain networks. Looking ahead, a breakthrough above $0.50 could ignite a renewed uptrend for XLM, aligning its valuation more closely with its operational advancements.

Stellar’s focus on interoperability and low-cost transactions positions it well for real-world applications, including remittances and stablecoin issuances. Recent partnerships with financial institutions have enhanced its utility, though market sentiment remains cautious amid broader crypto volatility. As the network scales, these fundamentals may provide a foundation for catching up to frontrunners like Zcash in the rankings.