Zcash (ZEC) Price Rally in Late October 2025: Impact of Institutional Adoption and Focus on Privacy-Driven Applications

At the end of October 2025, (ZEC) saw its value skyrocket, climbing 266% over the month and hitting a high of $382 per token. This remarkable upswing was driven by several factors, such as heightened interest from institutional players and a global resurgence in demand for privacy-oriented cryptocurrencies. As regulatory oversight grows stricter and financial monitoring becomes more widespread, Zcash’s sophisticated privacy mechanisms—especially its use of zero-knowledge proofs (zk-SNARKs)—have helped it emerge as a frontrunner among privacy-focused digital assets.

Institutional Onboarding: A Catalyst for Momentum

ZEC’s price rally happened alongside a 16% jump in open interest for Zcash futures, reaching $244 million by the end of October 2025, according to a

. This figure, which reflects both speculative and institutional involvement, indicates that more investors—both retail and institutional—are directing funds toward privacy coins. The increase in open interest mirrors broader market movements, as participants look to safeguard against regulatory threats and maintain financial privacy in an era of increased surveillance, the Coinotag report highlights.

A turning point in this story came when Mert Mumtaz, CEO of Helius (a

infrastructure provider), confidently stated that could overtake in terms of market cap. At that moment, ZEC was trading at $359 with a market capitalization of $5.8 billion, while XRP’s market cap stood at $152.8 billion, based on a . Mumtaz described the potential 2,600% price leap as just possible, but a “moral obligation” to prioritize privacy coins over compliance-focused tokens like XRP. His remarks highlighted a shifting institutional perspective that sees privacy as a basic financial right, especially in regions where regulatory excess is viewed as a threat to personal freedom, according to the U.Today report.

Privacy-Centric Use Cases: Driving Long-Term Value

The robust technology behind Zcash has played a major role in its latest achievements. The network’s shielded transactions, which rely on zk-SNARKs to hide details about senders, recipients, and amounts, have seen a notable rise in usage. By late October 2025, the number of shielded ZEC tokens reached 4.864 million, accounting for almost 30% of the total supply, according to the Coinotag report. This trend points to a growing preference for privacy, particularly as governments and companies ramp up their data collection efforts.

Confidence among institutions in Zcash’s privacy framework has also been strengthened by recent tech upgrades. For example, the Zashi wallet’s integration with NEAR’s Intents system now supports cross-chain swaps and private transactions, broadening Zcash’s functionality in a multi-chain environment, as reported by Investorempires. Further, upcoming connections with Solana using light-client technology are set to make cross-chain privacy features even more seamless, enabling Zcash transactions to be validated on Solana’s fast network, the Coinotag report notes. These developments not only widen Zcash’s practical uses but also appeal to institutions seeking reliable and scalable privacy solutions.

The Road Ahead: Institutional Adoption and Market Projections

Looking ahead, Zcash seems well-positioned for further expansion. Technical analysts have pointed to Fibonacci retracement levels and strong momentum signals, with some forecasting a rise to $726 in 2025, according to the Coinotag report. Taking it a step further, Arthur Hayes, a well-known crypto figure, has projected that ZEC could soar to $10,000, citing its unique role in the privacy sector, the Coinotag report adds.

Although no major corporate partnerships were revealed in late October 2025, the overall trend of institutional adoption is clear. The uptick in open interest, endorsements from industry leaders, and ongoing technological progress all indicate that Zcash is evolving from a niche asset to a serious option for institutional portfolios. As privacy issues remain at the forefront of global discussions, Zcash’s ability to offer both anonymity and regulatory compatibility could become its most valuable asset.

Conclusion

Zcash’s price rally in late October 2025 highlights the increasing convergence of institutional investment and privacy-driven innovation. With rising open interest, greater adoption of shielded transactions, and forward-thinking integrations all supporting its momentum, ZEC has firmly established itself as a key player in the privacy-centric crypto landscape. For investors, the message is clear: in a world where surveillance and data misuse are on the rise, Zcash’s dedication to financial privacy stands out as a significant strategic edge.