Aster News Today: Zcash Surges 30% as Privacy Coins Surpass Meme Tokens

Zcash (ZEC) experienced a dramatic increase of more than 30% within a single day, fueled by renewed investor excitement after BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes conducted a "vibe check" and made a notable purchase of Wilder World (WILD) tokens, according to a

. This action sparked fresh interest in privacy-centric cryptocurrencies, with Zcash’s value soaring to $270.96 as traders viewed Hayes’ move as a positive indicator, as reported by . The surge happened alongside a broader trend of capital flowing into privacy coins, with Monero (XMR) surpassing (SHIB) in market value for the first time, .

Hayes, a well-known and sometimes controversial figure in crypto, withdrew 2.16 million WILD tokens (worth $463,000) from platforms such as KuCoin and Gate.io, demonstrating his belief in the asset’s future, as highlighted by Bitcoinsistemi. His actions frequently influence market trends, and this event was no different. Zcash’s price spike followed a 461% rally over the past month, largely driven by the growing use of shielded transactions—a privacy tool that conceals transaction information and reduces available supply, according to CoinDesk. Analysts observed that Zcash’s leadership in the privacy coin space was further strengthened by a 22% increase in futures open interest, reaching $303 million and outpacing most major cryptocurrencies, as CoinDesk also noted.

Wider cryptocurrency markets also experienced turbulence due to macroeconomic shifts and regulatory news.

(ASTER), a decentralized trading platform, jumped 15% after introducing its Rocket Launch campaign, which provides early access to new projects and rewards in ASTER and partner tokens, according to a . The rally intensified after U.S. President Donald Trump granted a pardon to Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ), boosting and Aster tokens, as . CZ’s public support for Aster and his family office’s investment in the platform further lifted market sentiment, with large institutional investors contributing to the price surge, according to Yahoo Finance.

Privacy-focused coins such as Monero and

are increasingly vying with tokens for investor interest. Monero’s 8.22% price increase pushed its market capitalization to $6.11 billion, overtaking Shiba Inu’s $5.87 billion, as Coinotag previously reported. Analysts suggest this trend signals a maturing market that values practical use over speculation. Mert, a developer, stressed that privacy is essential for global crypto adoption, stating there is “zero chance” privacy coins will be ignored as the sector develops, according to U.Today. This perspective matches Zcash’s recent performance, with shielded tokens now making up 27.5% of its total supply, creating scarcity that has helped it outperform other altcoins in a sluggish market, CoinDesk reported.

The intersection of influencer sentiment, regulatory developments, and growing demand for privacy is transforming the cryptocurrency sector. While Zcash’s recent rally is still closely linked to market excitement, its future will rely on the continued adoption of privacy features and institutional backing. For now, the coin’s comeback highlights the lasting demand for anonymity amid increasing concerns over data privacy.