Zcash (ZEC) continues to demonstrate resilience in the cryptocurrency market, with recent developments shaping its near-term trajectory.
Over the past 24 hours, Zcash (ZEC) has risen by 11.97%, outperforming a relatively flat crypto market, and currently trades just above $420.
This surge reflects a combination of regulatory optimism, technical momentum, and network improvements, prompting analysts to examine the Zcash price forecast in light of recent events.
Zebra 3.1.0 boosts network performance
The release of Zebra 3.1.0 marks a notable step in Zcash’s transition to a modern, Rust-based node architecture.
This update enhances Docker support across ARM64 and AMD64 architectures, ensuring compatibility with devices such as Apple Silicon and cloud-based ARM instances.
The improved multi-architecture logic enables users to automatically retrieve the correct images, eliminating previous compatibility issues.
Additionally, Zebra 3.1.0 introduces a mempool dust filter that blocks transactions with extremely small outputs, reducing spam activity and easing resource demands for node operators.
Beyond technical fixes, Zebra 3.1.0 strengthens the RPC interface, increasing the maximum response size and providing greater configurability.
This allows developers and infrastructure tools to query large views of node data efficiently, enhancing analytics and monitoring capabilities.
While these improvements may not immediately affect end-users, they contribute to a more robust network infrastructure that underpins the long-term stability of Zcash and indirectly supports the ZEC market.
The growing regulatory optimism around privacy coins
Zcash’s recent rally is also tied to growing regulatory optimism.
The US SEC Privacy Roundtable on December 15 signalled a shift in perspective, recognising privacy as a legitimate financial feature rather than a liability.
Shielded transactions, a hallmark of Zcash, align with this regulatory trend, reducing fears of delistings and building institutional confidence.
Furthermore, Cypherpunk Technologies’ $68 million ZEC treasury acquisition underscores the increasing interest from professional investors.
Despite these bullish signals, some market observers, including Raoul Pal, caution that the recent surge may represent capital rotation rather than a confirmed structural breakout.
Pal emphasises that for a sustained bull trend, Zcash must maintain performance alongside broader market strength, rather than relying solely on short-term speculative positioning.
Zcash price technical analysis
From a technical standpoint, ZEC has rebounded from oversold levels, with an RSI of 44.83 and a bullish MACD crossover fueling short-term gains.
The 7-day simple moving average has been breached, signalling renewed momentum, though declining trading volume suggests that caution is warranted.
Analysts have identified critical support at $425.92, with resistance levels at $443.90, $476.21, and $551.70 shaping potential price paths.
Notably, holding above $425.92 is essential for sustaining momentum, while any drop below this level could expose ZEC to further declines toward $304.32.
Zcash price prediction
Zcash’s near-term price outlook will depend on a mix of technical fundamentals, regulatory developments, and overall market conditions.
The Zebra 3.1.0 upgrade strengthens the blockchain’s infrastructure, enhancing reliability and efficiency, which could encourage wider adoption of shielded transactions that currently represent about 30% of ZEC’s circulating supply.
From a market perspective, maintaining support above $425.92 is critical for sustaining momentum, while a break above $443.90 could pave the way for further gains toward the $476–$551 range.
But despite these positive signals, traders and investors should exercise caution, balancing optimism with the potential for short-term capital rotations and broader market volatility.
Monitoring regulatory developments is equally important, as policy clarity and institutional adoption will play a decisive role in ZEC’s ability to maintain its upward trajectory.
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