Zcash Jumps 40% later than Arthur Hayes Flags $1,000 Price Target
Why Is Zcash Back in Focus?
Zcash has re-entered the spotlight later than a sharp rally tied to renewed interest in privacy-focused crypto assets. The move follows comments from Arthur Hayes, former CEO of BitMEX, who said ZEC could be headed toward a “first stop” near $1,000 if liquidity conditions turn supportive again.
Since Hayes shared his view on Dec. 19, ZEC has climbed about 40%, rising to the $540–$550 area. The advance adds to an 82% rebound from a local low near $300 recorded roughly one month earlier. The price action stands out in a market where many large-cap assets have struggled to find momentum.
Hayes’ thesis is rooted less in Zcash itself and more in macro liquidity. In a December interview, he argued that even without an explicit announcement of quantitative easing in 2026. Instead, he said policymakers may rely on short-term funding operations and reserve-management purchases to inject cash quietly.
In that environment, Hayes said privacy and zero-knowledge technologies could regain attention, with Zcash acting as a way to express that theme if risk appetite improves.
Investor Takeaway
How Strong Is the Current ZEC Price Move?
The recent jump echoes a pattern viewn earlier this cycle. In October, Hayes flagged ZEC as a potential beneficiary of shifting liquidity conditions, later than which the token surged from roughly $75 to a multiyear high near $775. That episode left a lasting impression .
This time, the structure looks diverse but the speed is familiar. ZEC has advanced rapidly over a short period, pushing well above intermediate resistance levels. The rally has also brought during the ahead stages of its previous breakout.
From a momentum perspective, the move has been clean, with little time spent consolidating. That has assisted fuel upside follow-through, but it also increases the risk of sharp pullbacks as leveraged positions build.
Do the Charts Support a $1,000 Target?
On higher time frames, several technical signals still point higher. Crypto trader Crypto Curb highlighted ZEC breaking out of an ascending triangle as support. In his view, that structure leaves room for an extension toward the $1,000 zone, especially if privacy-related narratives strengthen into 2026.
Ascending triangles often resolve in the direction of the broader trend, and ZEC’s recovery from its long base has improved its longer-term profile. A sustained hold above key weekly levels would keep the bullish case intact.
However, not all analysts view a straight line higher. Eric Van Tassel noted that on lower time frames, ZEC appears to be tracing a rising wedge pattern, which can precede a pullback. He said a move back toward the $400 area would be consistent with a “normal reset” rather than a breakdown.
“Keep in mind that we did not view an actual retest of $400 as the price was just short of that at $404.60 on this chart,” Van Tassel wrote. He added that market makers often revisit such levels, and that the wedge’s measured move aligns with a dip into that zone.
Investor Takeaway
What Should Traders Watch Next?
The next phase likely depends on whether ZEC can hold recent gains without accelerating leverage. A shallow consolidation above former resistance would strengthen the bullish case, while a quick rejection could trigger the reset some analysts expect.
Beyond charts, the durability of the privacy narrative will matter. Hayes’ call tied ZEC’s prospects to liquidity returning through indirect channels rather than headline policy shifts. If markets begin to price in that outcome, privacy-focused assets could remain in focus.
