Privacy coins quietly make a comeback: from fringe tracks to mainstream assets, the signals behind a market cap of 24 billion

2026-01-12 07:28:11

Abstract generation in progress

【Blockchain Rhythm】Privacy coins are really starting to turn the tide. Recently, looking at the data, by 2025, privacy-related assets will jump from a niche track directly into mainstream sight, outperforming Bitcoin and Ethereum overall, especially in volatile markets, with significantly stronger resistance to declines.

The trading volume is even more interesting——the actual on-chain usage has been steadily increasing, with transaction share jumping from 9.7% directly to 11.4%, not a small growth. Monero and Zcash, the two veterans, still dominate the privacy track, and the entire privacy coin market has already surpassed $24 billion in scale.

Most importantly, many underlying infrastructure teams are beginning to shift privacy capabilities from “optional features” to “standard configurations,” directly integrating them into the default architecture of blockchains. This is not short-term hype but a clear long-term strategic signal.

It also makes sense—global regulation tightening and increased on-chain monitoring naturally elevate the demand for on-chain anonymity and transaction privacy. It is expected that by 2026, discussions and applications related to privacy will become an important direction in the crypto market. This wave is unlikely to be just a trend but a genuine market demand.

BTC0,36%

ETH-0,85%

ZEC6,42%

View Original

This page may contain third-party content, which is provided for information purposes only (not representations/warranties) and should not be considered as an endorsement of its views by Gate, nor as financial or professional advice. See Disclaimer for details.

10 Likes

Reward
10
4
Repost
Share

Comment

0/400

GhostChainLoyalist

· 15h ago

Wow, Monero is really about to take off. This time is different. Privacy coins are going from a trash track directly to mainstream, with a market cap of 24 billion. This number shows that the demand is real. On-chain transactions account for 11.4%, not a joke. As regulations become stricter, privacy will only become more valuable. I agree. Standardization is the ultimate goal. Incorporating it into the architecture is a long-term positive signal.

View OriginalReply0

MEVVictimAlliance

· 16h ago

1. Privacy coins blew up, but I still can't beat MEV... What the heck 2. 24 billion? Why hasn't it been cracked down yet haha 3. The stricter the regulation, the more privacy is worth—makes sense 4. Monero is the real deal, Zcash should have exited long ago 5. Yet another hyped-up track, just waiting to get cut off

View OriginalReply0

GrayscaleArbitrageur

· 16h ago

What? Privacy coins are back in the spotlight? After being cut so many years, it seems like it's finally their turn. 240 billion is indeed not small, but still a bit behind the big players. However, seeing the trading share increase from 9.7% to 11.4%, there's something there. Monero and Zcash are still holding on. Old stuff is old stuff; just don't know how long they can last this time, or if it's another wave of harvesting. Privacy being integrated into the architecture is a highlight, but it depends on which chains really get moving—don't just talk, take action. If I had known last year, I should have copied more. Now it's more expensive again.

View OriginalReply0

SorryRugPulled

· 16h ago

I've been saying that privacy coins would rise, and now look, even the infrastructure is starting to support them natively. This is what true demand being stimulated looks like. People are only now realizing that this thing is not an illegal tool, but a necessity. Monero has always been steady, low-key but with real strength. This wave is indeed different, it's not hype; changes at the infrastructure level are the real signals. Privacy needs are right there, the tighter the regulation, the more they are needed. The scale has reached 24 billion, and it's not surprising if it continues to rise. The key is that privacy is now being made standard, and this is what true change looks like.

View OriginalReply0