Key Takeaways
- Arthur Hayes’ family office, Maelstrom, now holds ZEC as its second-largest liquid asset after BTC.
- Zcash has surged over 700% since September, driven by privacy-focused interest and speculative flows.
- Upcoming supply changes and regulatory factors may impact ZEC’s volatility and investor appetite.
- High-profile endorsements like Hayes’ could reignite capital inflows into privacy coins.
Arthur Hayes Names Zcash Second Biggest Holding After Bitcoin
Arthur Hayes, co-founder of BitMEX, has surprised the crypto community by revealing that Zcash (ZEC) now ranks as the second-largest liquid asset in his family office, Maelstrom, trailing only Bitcoin. Shared via X, this portfolio shift comes amid a sharp ZEC price surge that has reignited investor interest in privacy-focused tokens.
Also Read: How Zcash Is Redefining What Encrypted Money Can Do
Zcash Surges Into the Spotlight
Zcash has surged over 700% since September, briefly reaching intraday highs above $700 and placing it back among the top 20 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization. Trading volumes spiked alongside this rally, fueled by renewed attention to ZEC’s privacy features and a wave of retail and speculative activity. Analysts note that ZEC’s technical narrative, particularly its shielded-transaction options, has contributed to heightened investor interest.
Also Read: Zcash Investors Bet Big on 2025 Halving Gains
Hayes has also set an ambitious long-term target of $10,000 for ZEC, a bold figure that has generated significant media attention and may further encourage buying momentum. While he confirmed ZEC as Maelstrom’s second-largest liquid holding, he did not disclose the precise amount or portfolio percentage, leaving observers to speculate on the stake’s scale.
Privacy Coins Draw Renewed Scrutiny
Zcash’s rally underscores a broader market focus on privacy coins, which offer enhanced anonymity for transactions but face regulatory scrutiny in certain jurisdictions. Exchanges and platforms have historically limited access to such tokens, a factor that adds both allure and caution to the market narrative.
Traders are closely monitoring on-chain activity, including shielded versus transparent transfers, exchange flows, and the upcoming mid-November Zcash supply adjustment, which will reduce miner rewards and potentially tighten available supply. Volatility remains high, and price swings could influence liquidity and trading strategies in the short term.
Why This Matters
Arthur Hayes’ endorsement signals renewed institutional and retail interest in Zcash, emphasizing the potential of privacy tokens in a rapidly evolving crypto market. Investors may see this as a cue to reevaluate ZEC’s role in diversified crypto portfolios, balancing opportunity with regulatory and liquidity considerations.
