Zcash price prediction has surged into focus as ZEC climbs into the top 20 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization after extraordinary gains that raised its visibility and search volume. The debate centers on whether ZEC can displace XRP, with the rally reflecting both renewed demand for privacy and a valuation gap that remains substantial. Analysts quantify that ZEC would need an approximate 2,600% capitalization increase to reach XRP’s scale, implying a structural rally rather than a speculative spike.
Recent moves highlight explosive upside episodes, with rallies of 1,498% and 236% in short periods that pushed prices briefly above $700. ZEC’s market capitalization has hovered around $11.01 billion, reaching at times $15.1 billion and temporarily positioning it in the top 10 (excluding stablecoins), a visibility boost that has intensified market attention.
Forecasts for ZEC in 2025 are highly disparate, with optimistic scenarios ranging from $1,022 to $4,204 and very long‑term projections suggesting $15,000 for 2035. Conservative models place ZEC in much lower ranges such as $21.62–$84.39 or $155–$544, while estimates incorporating one‑off corrections point near $360 after a hypothetical 35% drop from the all‑time high of $538.
A cited moderate growth model estimates mid‑hundreds by 2025–2026, projecting $585.75 for the end of 2025 and $609.15 in 2026, while projections to 2030 vary widely between $75 and $936. This breadth underscores the uncertainty around adoption curves and cycle timing for privacy‑focused assets.
Regulation and compliance for Zcash (zec)
XRP contrasts due to its larger scale and established utility, with capitalization typically between $135 billion and $152.8 billion and a market price around $2.30–$2.54. Price estimates for XRP in 2025 range from $1.05 to $6.50, with a consensus around $3–$5; banks and research houses propose targets from $2.20 in short‑term horizons up to $12.50 by 2028, and some extremely bullish forecasts raise figures to $21.99 for 2030 or much higher symbolic numbers in distant horizons.
To close the gap, ZEC would need an approximate 2,600% capitalization increase, a reduction in distance that implies a sustained, structural rally rather than a transient speculative spike. Briefly, zk‑SNARKs are cryptographic proofs enabling transaction verification without revealing contents, while Proof‑of‑Work (PoW) is a consensus mechanism requiring computational work to validate blocks.
Regulatory clarity has given XRP a practical edge, notably via a 2023 U.S. court ruling that determined XRP was not a security when traded on exchanges, facilitating institutional integration and opening the possibility of spot ETFs in the U.S. By contrast, privacy coins face regulatory skepticism that limits institutional adoption, constraining the pace at which ZEC can scale through traditional channels.
For ZEC to aspire to surpass XRP, multiple conditions must align, including global regulatory acceptance of privacy coins; technical advances that make shielded transactions as fast and scalable as transparent ones; sustained institutional accumulation that revalues privacy; and unforeseen regulatory or technological issues that weaken XRP’s position. Commentary has amplified the debate, with Arthur Hayes labeling ZEC a “resistance token” and asserting it could reach $10,000, while Mert Mumtaz characterized privacy adoption as a “moral obligation.”
