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Thursday Nov 20 2025 06:10
2 min
Zcash (ZEC) has experienced a remarkable price surge in the past two months, soaring from $50 to a high of $730. This surge has sparked significant interest, especially with endorsements from prominent figures in the crypto space. However, it's crucial to examine the fundamentals to assess whether this rally is justified.
The mining economic model is critical for the sustainability of any Proof-of-Work (PoW) project. Let's analyze the profitability of mining ZEC using the Antminer Z15 Pro:
However, this short payback period suggests potential risks, as extremely short payback periods are often a sign of an impending mining market crash.
The term Hardware–Price Scissors refers to the scenario where miners purchase expensive hardware during peak periods, only to see the coin's value plummet and mining difficulty increase, rendering their hardware unprofitable.
The strength of the network and its resistance to 51% attacks are crucial factors. ZEC's current network hashrate is around 12.48 GSol/s, making it vulnerable compared to other, more secure networks.
Despite the recent hype, on-chain data suggests that actual ZEC usage remains limited. The average daily transaction volume is only around 15,000 - 18,000 transactions per day, with the majority being transparent rather than privacy-protected transactions.
While the hype surrounding ZEC may be exciting, it's essential to look beyond the headlines and assess the fundamentals. The mining economic model, network security, and actual usage volume all point to potential risks. Ultimately, these fundamentals will determine whether ZEC can sustain its current valuation in the long term.
Risk Warning: This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, investment research, or a recommendation to trade. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Markets.com. When considering shares, indices, forex (foreign exchange), and commodities for trading and price predictions, remember that trading CFDs involves a significant degree of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Leveraged products can result in capital loss. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Before trading, ensure you fully understand the risks involved and consider your investment objectives and level of experience. Cryptocurrency CFD trading restrictions may apply depending on jurisdiction.
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