NASDAQ's move into blockchain represents a significant turning point for the entire crypto ecosystem. The exchange gearing up its blockchain infrastructure in 2026 signals that institutional-grade infrastructure is finally catching up with digital asset demand. For BTC holders and altcoin investors, this is more than just positive sentiment—it's structural validation. When a venue of NASDAQ's caliber commits resources to blockchain integration, it typically cascades into broader market adoption and liquidity improvements. The real question becomes which blockchain architecture wins the institutional preference race. NASDAQ will likely evaluate candidates based on throughput, settlement finality, security maturity, and existing enterprise partnerships. Chains demonstrating production-grade reliability with institutional compliance frameworks would have a natural advantage in such evaluations.

An hour into the NYSE session and Bitcoin's still holding strong—no dump in sight. That's something worth watching.

The recent two months have been quite intense in the circle, with rumors about ZEC flying everywhere, claiming that seasoned crypto players are secretly entering in large numbers. Having been in this industry for many years, my first reaction is always: as long as there's news that can trigger FOMO, it needs to be thoroughly examined. Today, I want to discuss the real situation of ZEC and share some personal insights. **Why has ZEC been so hot lately? Just look at the data** Numbers don't lie. Over the past three months, ZEC has surged from just over $200 to more than $700, nearly a 20x increase, hitting a seven-year high. But what's truly worth noting isn't just the price; it's the on-chain activity—the so-called shielded pool (a completely anonymous asset storage)—which has exceeded 5 million ZEC, accounting for about 30% of the total circulating supply. In USD terms, that's about $2.5 billion. What does this indicate? It's not retail investors speculating; it's real capital quietly accumulating. Institutional moves are even more straightforward. The Winklevoss brothers' Cypherpunk Holdings invested $50 million all at once and announced plans to hold 5% of the total supply. Grayscale has also relaunched its ZEC trust product, with its scale skyrocketing by 228% within a month. Putting these signals together, it definitely feels like a major move is brewing. **Why are OGs so fixated on ZEC? There are three solid reasons** **First logic: Privacy is no longer a luxury but a necessity** Now, even ordering takeout can be modeled by big data, let alone on-chain transaction privacy. ZEC uses zero-knowledge proof technology (simply put, a way to prove you own something without revealing what it is). In an era where AI is becoming smarter and data more valuable, privacy features are shifting from optional to essential. As countries pay more attention to encrypted privacy, assets with genuine privacy functions will become increasingly scarce. **Second logic: Policy windows are opening** Recently, many countries have started to adjust their stance on privacy coins. Although some exchanges previously delisted these coins, the trend is shifting. Under a compliant framework, privacy protection is being redefined as a right rather than a risk. It’s like a track that no one dared to touch before, suddenly gaining policy approval, and its value naturally re-evaluates. **Third logic: The bottom has already been mined out** ZEC has been around since 2016; it’s not a new coin or an air project. Its code has been validated over ten years, and the community base remains stable. Although the recent surge is rapid, compared to Bitcoin and Ethereum’s historical data, it’s still within a reasonable range. Moreover, data from shielded pools shows that there are indeed long-term holders, not just short-term speculators. **My personal view on this matter** First of all, I must say that FOMO definitely exists, I won't deny it. But the data and institutional movements are there; this isn’t just hype. The logic behind ZEC’s rise has a foundation—it’s not rising out of thin air. The demand for privacy is real, regulatory loosening is a fact, and technological accumulation is solid. That said, any investment decision must consider your own risk tolerance. ZEC is a relatively small-cap coin, so its volatility is definitely higher than mainstream coins. The recent rapid increase already carries risks of chasing the high. If you are a conservative investor, dollar-cost averaging and diversification are advisable; if you believe in the long-term prospects of privacy tracks, this might be a good time to allocate some positions. The key is not to let FOMO override rational judgment. ZEC’s story is clear, but no matter how appealing the story, it should be aligned with your actual situation when allocating assets. In this industry, those who can endure volatility will be the ones who laugh last.