Aster News Today: Privacy Coins Overtake Meme Tokens in Zcash's 30% Rally

Zcash (ZEC) surged over 30% in a single day, driven by renewed investor enthusiasm following a "vibe check" from BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes, who made a high-profile purchase of Wilder World (WILD) tokens, according to a Bitcoinsistemi article. The move reignited speculation about privacy-focused cryptocurrencies, with Zcash's price climbing to $270.96 as market participants interpreted Hayes' actions as a bullish signal, according to a CoinDesk report. The rally coincided with a broader shift in capital toward privacy coins, as Monero (XMR) overtook Shiba Inu (SHIB) in market capitalization for the first time, Coinotag reported.

Hayes, a polarizing figure in the crypto space, withdrew 2.16 million WILD tokens ($463,000) from exchanges like KuCoin and Gate.io, signaling his confidence in the asset's potential, as the Bitcoinsistemi article noted. His moves often trigger market reactions, and this instance was no exception. Zcash's price jump followed a 461% surge in the past month, fueled by increased adoption of shielded transactions—a privacy mechanism that masks transaction details and limits sellable supply, according to CoinDesk. Analysts noted that Zcash's dominance in the privacy sector has been further bolstered by a 22% rise in futures open interest to $303 million, outpacing growth in most major tokens, per the same CoinDesk coverage.

The broader crypto market also saw volatility from macroeconomic and regulatory developments. Aster (ASTER), a decentralized exchange, surged 15% after launching its Rocket Launch campaign, offering traders early access to emerging projects and rewards in ASTER and partner tokens, according to a Yahoo Finance report. The rally gained additional momentum when U.S. President Donald Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao (CZ), sending BNB and Aster tokens higher, as Yahoo Finance reported. CZ's public endorsements of Aster and his family office's backing of the platform amplified market optimism, with institutional whale activity further fueling the price breakout, the Yahoo Finance piece added.

Privacy coins like Monero and Zcash are increasingly competing with meme tokens for investor attention. Monero's 8.22% price gain pushed its market cap to $6.11 billion, surpassing Shiba Inu's $5.87 billion, Coinotag reported earlier. Experts argue that the shift reflects a maturing market prioritizing utility over speculation. Mert, a Solana developer, emphasized that privacy is "non-negotiable" for crypto's global adoption, stating there is a "0% chance" privacy coins will be overlooked as the industry evolves, U.Today reported. This sentiment aligns with Zcash's recent performance, as shielded tokens now account for 27.5% of its total supply, creating a scarcity effect that has outperformed other altcoins in a weak market, per CoinDesk.

The convergence of influencer-driven sentiment, regulatory clarity, and structural demand for privacy is reshaping the crypto landscape. While Zcash's short-term gains remain tied to market hype, its long-term prospects depend on sustained adoption of privacy features and institutional interest. For now, the asset's resurgence underscores the enduring appeal of anonymity in an era of heightened data privacy concerns.