Privacy Coins Come Roaring Back as Surveillance Fears Rise

[kevin1]

Privacy-focused cryptocurrencies staged one of the strongest recoveries of 2025. Zcash surged more than 800% on the year, while Monero climbed back above $400 for the first time in years. The rally reflected growing unease over data exposure, AI-driven surveillance, and fully transparent blockchains.

Looking ahead to 2026, privacy is no longer a niche concern. As most onchain activity remains publicly visible, privacy networks may benefit from a “winner-take-most” dynamic, where users choose one chain and stay put to avoid repeated exposure. If regulatory pressure and digital monitoring continue to rise, privacy coins could remain one of crypto’s most resilient narratives.