Zcash (ZEC) has surged past the $500 mark, experiencing a remarkable rise that hasn’t been seen since 2018. The current surge is fueled by a significant increase in derivatives market interest, with open interest hitting all-time highs. This trend points to increased involvement from traders and liquidity providers on major exchanges. The market capitalization of Zcash has surpassed $8 billion, placing it among the top mid-cap cryptocurrencies. 770 million total positions have been recorded in ZEC futures, a remarkable indicator of growing market activity. This surge is attributed to the increasing demand for privacy-centric cryptocurrencies like Zcash. The anonymity and decentralized value transfer offered by Zcash are resonating with investors seeking increased control over their financial transactions, particularly as regulatory scrutiny intensifies.