Zcash (ZEC) has seen a strong upward move this month, gaining nearly 200% and pushing its market cap to around $11 billion. This places it just outside the top 10 cryptocurrencies by market capitalization, raising the question of whether ZEC could soon overtake Cardano (ADA).
The gap between the two has narrowed significantly, not just due to ZEC’s growth, but also because of broader weakness in major cryptocurrencies. Cardano, in particular, has dropped almost 30% in the past month.
To move ahead of Cardano and enter the top 10, ZEC would need to reach a market cap of approximately $16 billion. At current supply, this would place the required price near the $1,000 mark.
While that may seem high, ZEC has already traded above $730 earlier this month. To overtake Hyperliquid (HYPE), which is ranked 11th, ZEC would need to grow roughly 20% further to around $800 – a smaller step compared to what would be needed to pass Cardano.
Read also: Zcash Reclaims $500 as Winklevoss-Backed Cypherpunk Makes $50M Bet
Technical Indicators and Key Resistance
At present, ZEC is trading around $672 and is testing a key resistance level near $745–$750, which also marks the recent peak. The token is pressing into the upper edge of its Bollinger Bands, and RSI(14) has risen to 66, while the shorter-term RSI(7) is at 64. These figures suggest increasing pressure toward overbought conditions.
The Average Directional Index (ADX) is currently at 48, indicating strong trend momentum. This supports the idea that the rally has not been random or weak, though it does not eliminate the possibility of a short-term pullback. If the price fails to hold above the $750 range, the next support level to watch is around $581 – the 23.6% Fibonacci retracement from the recent leg up.
Institutional Activity and Market Context
The rise in ZEC has been accompanied by increased institutional interest. Cypherpunk Technologies recently added $18 million worth of ZEC to its holdings, and the launch of shielded ZEC purchases via the Zashi wallet has gained attention. Market figures like Arthur Hayes have also signaled support for ZEC, increasing exposure even while exiting other altcoins.
At the same time, the broader crypto market has been under pressure. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other large-cap tokens have seen double-digit losses over the past month. ZEC’s outperformance has made its rise in market cap more pronounced, as other coins fall while ZEC climbs. This relative divergence is a key reason why ZEC now sits close to the top 10, despite not yet reaching the $1,000 price level.
Read also: Can XRP Reach $10? A Serious Look at the Numbers
Will ZEC Keep Growing?
Momentum remains strong, but technical signs are approaching levels that often precede local tops. The ADX supports the strength of the ongoing trend, but RSI and Bollinger Band positioning suggest that the rally may face resistance in the short term. A confirmed breakout above $750 could accelerate the move, while rejection could trigger a retracement toward support levels.
