Zcash (ZEC) has experienced a significant price surge, jumping 30% in the last 24 hours, fueled by a bullish prediction from crypto entrepreneur Arthur Hayes. Hayes, the co-founder and former CEO of BitMEX, posted on X (formerly Twitter) suggesting that the privacy-focused cryptocurrency could reach $10,000. This "vibe check," as Hayes called it, has reignited interest in Zcash, a cryptocurrency designed to ensure complete anonymity of transactions between parties on the blockchain.
The price of ZEC rallied from approximately $272 to a peak of $355 following Hayes's post. As of October 26, 2025, CoinGecko data shows ZEC is trading around $332.52, marking a 20.8% increase. This surge is part of a larger trend, with Zcash having gained over 750% in the past three months. The recent price action has briefly tested its all-time high of $305.
Hayes's endorsement is seen as a major catalyst, known for his contrarian views and market-moving commentary. Analyst AB Kuai Dong noted that ZEC was suddenly endorsed by a legendary Silicon Valley investor, driving FOMO (fear of missing out). This renewed interest has brought Zcash back into the spotlight after nearly a decade of relative obscurity since its launch in 2016.
Several factors beyond Hayes's statement are contributing to Zcash's resurgence. Analysts point to structural catalysts such as Grayscale's launch of a Zcash Trust and a listing on the Hyperliquid exchange, which have boosted liquidity. Additionally, an upcoming halving event, similar to Bitcoin's, is anticipated as a potential price driver.
Technical analysis also suggests further upside potential. Clifton FX, a technical analyst, highlighted an ascending triangle pattern on ZEC's 8-hour chart, indicating a possible 100-150% rally on a breakout. The ZEC price is trading within an ascending parallel channel, suggesting it is primed for more gains as long as it remains within this formation. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is climbing, signaling rising momentum, and the Zcash price could potentially reach $360.
However, some analysts remain cautious. Ignas DeFi, a DeFi analyst, warned that the rally might be a coordinated pump, with many investors becoming exit liquidity for early participants. The RSI's position near 79 raises concerns about ZEC being overbought and potentially facing a correction. A decisive close below $281.35 could confirm a correction, potentially leading to a price drop towards $240 or even below the $200 psychological level.
Despite the skepticism, the overall sentiment surrounding Zcash appears bullish. Zcash's 200-day moving average has been sloping upwards since late September, indicating a strong trend. The increasing demand for financial privacy tools also supports Zcash's revival. On-chain data reveals a surge in shielded Zcash tokens, with nearly 30% of the total supply now anonymized.
Predictions for Zcash's future price vary. CoinCodex forecasts ZEC to trade between $262.68 and $461.68 in the next year, potentially reaching $390.82 by November 22, 2025. CoinLore offers a more optimistic outlook, predicting a price of $3,393 by the end of 2025 and $8,047 by 2030. Another analysis estimates ZEC could reach $360.42 in the next 5 years.
While Arthur Hayes's $10,000 target remains a long-term aspiration, the recent surge highlights the renewed interest in Zcash and the potential for further growth, balanced with the inherent risks of cryptocurrency investments.
