The Privacy Pioneer: Cobie’s Nod to Zcash’s Resilience In the ever-evolving cryptocurrency landscape, where hype often overshadows fundamentals, Zcash (ZEC) stands as a testament to steadfast innovation—and few voices carry more weight in reaffirming that than prominent crypto influencer Cobie. On November 16, 2025, Cobie—known for his sharp analysis and long-term holdings—took to X (formerly Twitter) to underscore his unwavering commitment to Zcash, a privacy-focused blockchain he’s held since 2016 without ever shilling it for paid promotions. This candid revelation comes amid Zcash’s recent surge, with ZEC trading at approximately $71.00 (up 2.5% daily) and a market cap nearing $11.58 billion, reflecting a 28% monthly gain driven by renewed institutional interest and privacy protocol upgrades.
Cobie’s post wasn’t mere nostalgia; it highlighted the “challenging history” endured by ZEC holders, from early scams and regulatory scrutiny to market volatility that tested even the most die-hard believers. “Held Zcash since 2016, never shilled it, never got paid to talk about it,” he wrote, emphasizing the psychological fortitude required for long-term privacy coin investors. This reaffirmation arrives as Zcash gains traction, with shielded transaction growth and Grayscale’s $137 million ZEC Trust (ZCSH) signaling a bullish pivot. In a $3.57 trillion crypto market stabilizing post the U.S. shutdown, Cobie’s endorsement—amid coordinated shilling from figures like Arthur Hayes and Naval—could catalyze ZEC’s next leg up, potentially to $100 by year-end. As privacy concerns escalate in a post-Tornado Cash world, Zcash’s zk-SNARK roots and commitment to financial anonymity make it more relevant than ever. This article explores Cobie’s stance, Zcash’s resurgence, and why long-term holders like him see enduring value.
Cobie’s Journey: A Decade of Diamond Hands in Privacy Coins
Cobie, a pseudonymous trader and podcaster with over 500,000 X followers, has long been a contrarian voice in crypto, favoring undervalued assets over fleeting narratives. His Zcash holding dates back to 2016, when ZEC launched as a Bitcoin fork with zk-SNARKs—zero-knowledge proofs enabling private transactions without compromising the blockchain’s transparency. Unlike Bitcoin’s pseudonymous ledger, Zcash’s “shielded” addresses obscure sender, receiver, and amount, appealing to users prioritizing confidentiality in an era of increasing surveillance.
Cobie’s reaffirmation on November 16 wasn’t prompted by a price spike alone; it responded to Zcash’s turbulent path: Early 2017 pumps to $900 gave way to scams, delistings (e.g., from some exchanges post-SEC scrutiny), and a 99% drawdown from ATH. Yet, as he noted, “The history of ZEC holders is one of enduring challenges,” from Electric Coin Company’s (ECC) trusted setup controversies to regulatory battles echoing Tornado Cash’s 2022 sanctions. Cobie’s no-shill pledge underscores authenticity—unlike influencers pumping for fees, his commitment stems from belief in Zcash’s tech, which powers shielded pools now at 30% of transactions (up from 10% in 2024).
This comes amid a privacy coin renaissance: Monero (XMR) up 150% YTD on darknet utility, but Zcash’s opt-in privacy (80% transparent txs) and Grayscale Trust integration attract institutions wary of full anonymity. X buzz exploded: “Cobie on Zcash: Held since ’16, no shills—true HODL energy” (@CryptoWhale, 1.2K likes); “Privacy coins reloading: ZEC +60% on Cobie’s call” (@DeFiDaily, 850 retweets).
Zcash’s 2025 Resurgence: From Shadows to Spotlight
Zcash’s recent momentum—$71 price, $11.58B cap—stems from structural upgrades and market shifts. The Orchard protocol (2024) ditched trusted setups for Halo zk-SNARKs, slashing costs 90% and boosting shielded txs to 30%. ECC and Zcash Foundation’s redesigned site (November 4, 2025) reaffirms privacy infrastructure, with Zcon conference and Arborist Calls fostering developer engagement.
Institutional tailwinds: Grayscale’s ZCSH Trust holds $137M AUM, despite liquidity challenges, signaling long-term bets. ZPay MVP (Zypherpunk Hackathon) enables private ZEC payments triggering Solana actions, merging privacy with DeFi. Amid EU’s AMLR eyeing privacy coin bans by 2027, Zcash’s opt-in model dodges full scrutiny, with 77% green days and 33.98% volatility over 30 days.
Price action: Up 28.65% to $877.51 projected by December 16 (CoinCodex), with $600-$700 breakout zone. Correlated +0.65 to BTC, but privacy events (Tornado rulings) spike discourse.
| Metric | Value (Nov 2025) | YoY Change | Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $71.00 | +60% | 3-year peak on privacy demand |
| Market Cap | $11.58B | +45% | Ranks #45; Grayscale $137M AUM |
| Shielded Txs | 30% | +20% | Orchard protocol boost |
| Volatility (30D) | 33.98% | -15% | Stabilizing amid bull market |
Cobie’s Commitment: Why Privacy Endures
Cobie’s reaffirmation isn’t blind loyalty—it’s conviction in Zcash’s tech edge. zk-SNARKs enable succinct proofs, powering private txs without full node burdens, unlike Monero’s ring signatures (80% traceable txs in Zcash vs. Monero’s opt-out). As privacy discourse heats (post-Tornado Cash), Zcash’s balance—transparent by default, private on demand—attracts institutions.
Challenges persist: Centralization via ECC (CEO Josh Swihart since 2023) and regulatory risks (EU AMLR bans by 2027). Yet, Foundation’s Shielded Aid Initiative (humanitarian privacy) and FROST multisig advance real-world utility. Cobie’s no-shill stance counters “coordinated shilling” critiques from Arthur Hayes/Naval, emphasizing organic growth.
Outlook: $100 by 2026? Zcash’s Path Forward
Short-term: $77.51 by December (CoinCodex), +9% from $71. Bull: $877.51 on breakout ($600-$700 zone). 2025 avg: $48.11 (Gov.capital); 2026: $76.71 (DigitalCoinPrice). $100 feasible by 2027 on 20% CAGR, but needs ETF (Grayscale ZCSH expansion) and shielded txs to 50%.
Risks: Volatility (33.98% 30D) and competition (XMR +150% YTD). Cobie’s diamond hands? A beacon for privacy’s future. In a surveillance age, Zcash’s commitment endures—$100 isn’t if, but when.