Key Insights
- Zcash price rebounded nearly 10% after heavy selling, but confidence remains weak due to governance uncertainty.
- Whale buying helped stop the fall near $400, yet recent data shows large buyers are slowing their accumulation.
- ZEC price now sits in a narrow zone, with roughly 13% separating short-term stability from a deeper decline if support fails.
Zcash price has bounced after a sharp fall, but the market is still uneasy. ZEC price is trading near $411 after a near 10% rebound in the past 24 hours. This bounce came after a week of heavy selling tied to internal project issues. ZEC has not collapsed further, but it has also not regained its strength.
Right now, Zcash sits in a narrow zone. There is about a 13% gap between price stability and a deeper drop. Whale buying helped slow the fall earlier, but that support is now weakening. This leaves ZEC price at an important point where the next move matters.
Governance Trouble Shook Confidence?
The recent Zcash price drop started with a governance shock. In early January 2026, the full core team at Electric Coin Company left their roles. This included senior leaders who guided Zcash development for years. The exit was connected to internal disagreements over control and direction.
Even though the Zcash network itself still works fine, markets react to uncertainty.
Traders are still worried about who will guide future upgrades and decisions. That fear led to strong selling across several days, visible via the rising exchange inflows. ZEC price fell more than 20% in a short time.
This drop was not only emotional selling. Many short-term holders chose to exit quickly to avoid more losses. At the same time, some funds moved from Zcash to other privacy coins. This added more pressure to the price during a weak period.
Whale Buying Helped ZEC Price Hold
After the sharp fall, large wallets stepped in. These large holders are often referred to as whales due to their size. Over the past week, whales increased their Zcash holdings by about 24%. The top 100 addresses raised their share even more, close to 46%.
This buying helped ZEC price stop falling near the $400 area. It also helped create the recent 10% rebound. To check whether money is flowing in or out, traders use CMF. CMF stands for Chaikin Money Flow, which tracks buying and selling pressure.
When CMF moves higher, it shows more money entering the asset. For Zcash, CMF has been rising along with the price. This suggests large buyers were active during the rebound. That is the main reason ZEC price has not broken down yet.
However, the latest data shows a change. In the past 24 hours, whale buying has slowed. At the same time, exchange balances rose sharply. This usually means retail traders are selling into exchanges.
A 13% Zone is Now Critical for Zcash Price
Zcash price is now moving between two clear levels. On the upside, ZEC needs to reclaim $496 with a daily close. Holding above this level would help restore confidence. It would also show that buyers are willing to step back in.
On the downside, the first risk level sits near $399. If the price moves below this area, selling pressure can grow. A further drop below $356 would weaken the structure even more. From there, the ZEC price could slide toward the $302 region.
This creates a 13% gap between stability and breakdown. ZEC is not safe yet, but it is also not collapsing. The market is waiting to see who takes control next. Whales slowing their buying makes this decision harder.
For now, Zcash price remains supported by past whale accumulation. However, if large buyers stay quiet while retail keeps selling, pressure builds. The coming days will show whether confidence returns or fades further. That 13% zone will decide which path ZEC follows next.
Source: https://www.thecoinrepublic.com/2026/01/12/zcash-price-rebounds-as-whales-leave-a-13-gap-to-breakdown/


