Arthur Hayes’ ‘Withdraw and Shield’ Zcash War Cry Could Make ZEC’s Next Move Its Wildest Yet
John: Hey there, folks! I’m John, a veteran writer for Blockchain Bulletin, where I break down the wild world of crypto in easy-to-digest bites. Today, we’re diving into Arthur Hayes’ recent call to action for Zcash holders—urging them to withdraw from exchanges and shield their assets. It’s a hot topic amid Zcash’s massive price surge, and we’ll explore what this means for privacy in crypto. For readers who want a full step-by-step guide, you can also check this exchange guide.
Lila: Hi everyone, I’m Lila, John’s curious assistant always eager to learn more about Web3. John, what’s the big deal with this ‘withdraw and shield’ strategy for Zcash? It sounds like something from a spy movie!
What is Zcash?
John: Great question, Lila. Zcash, or ZEC, is a cryptocurrency launched on 2016-10-28, designed with a strong focus on privacy. Unlike Bitcoin, where transactions are public on the blockchain, Zcash offers optional shielded transactions that hide the sender, receiver, and amount using advanced cryptography called zk-SNARKs.
Lila: Zk-SNARKs? That sounds super technical. Can you explain it like I’m five?
John: Sure thing! Think of zk-SNARKs as a magic envelope: you can prove what’s inside without ever opening it. It lets you verify transactions privately, keeping your financial details hidden from prying eyes. As of now, in 2025, Zcash remains one of the top privacy coins, with a market cap that’s seen wild swings recently.
Arthur Hayes’ Background and Recent Advice
John: Arthur Hayes is the co-founder of BitMEX, a major crypto exchange he started back in 2014. He’s known for his bold market predictions and now runs a family office called Maelstrom. On 2025-11-12, Hayes posted on social media, urging Zcash holders to withdraw their ZEC from centralized exchanges (CEXs) and move them into shielded pools for better privacy.
Lila: Why the urgency? Is something bad happening with exchanges?
John: In the past, we’ve seen regulatory pressures on privacy coins, like delistings from exchanges due to compliance concerns. Hayes highlighted the risks of centralized custody, where exchanges hold your coins and could face hacks or shutdowns. He advised ‘shielding’ assets, which means transferring them to Zcash’s private pools—think of it as locking your coins in a secure, invisible vault.
Current Market Impact and Zcash’s Surge
John: Hayes’ call came amid a massive rally for ZEC. As of 2025-11-13, Zcash has surged over 920% in recent months, hitting highs above $750 on 2025-11-06—the first time since 2018. Hayes even revealed that ZEC is now his second-largest holding after Bitcoin, showing his confidence in its privacy features.
Lila: Wow, that’s a huge jump! What’s driving this?
John: From reliable sources like Cointelegraph and CryptoNews, the surge ties to increased shielded pool activity. On 2025-11-12, the shielded pools held over 4.1 million ZEC, up significantly, as users move coins off exchanges. This reduces circulating supply and boosts privacy adoption—it’s like coins going into hibernation, making the available ones scarcer (and hey, who doesn’t love a good scarcity story in crypto?).
Understanding Shielded Pools and Privacy Features
John: Zcash has three types of shielded pools, with the latest being Orchard, introduced in the NU5 upgrade on 2022-05-31. These pools use Halo 2 cryptography for efficient private transactions. Hayes’ strategy emphasizes moving coins here to avoid traceability, especially as governments ramp up crypto oversight.
Lila: So, how does someone actually ‘shield’ their ZEC?
John: It’s straightforward with a compatible wallet like Zcash’s official one. You withdraw from an exchange to a transparent address, then shield to a private one. But remember, this isn’t financial advice—just the mechanics. In the present landscape, with posts on X echoing Hayes’ warning, sentiment is buzzing about privacy coins dominating in 2025.
Risks and Safeguards for Zcash Holders
John: While exciting, there are risks. Privacy coins like Zcash have faced delistings; for example, in 2020, several exchanges dropped ZEC due to regulatory fears. Hacking remains a threat if you’re not careful with self-custody.
Lila: That sounds scary. Any tips to stay safe?
John: Absolutely. Use hardware wallets for storage, enable two-factor authentication, and only use trusted exchanges. As we look ahead, potential regulations could impact privacy features, so stay informed via sources like CoinDesk.
Tips for Getting Started with Zcash
John: If you’re new to Zcash, here are some practical tips:
- Choose a reputable wallet: Options like the official Zcash wallet or hardware like Ledger support shielding.
- Research exchanges: Not all support ZEC withdrawals to shielded addresses, so check first.
- Start small: Test with a tiny amount to understand the process before moving larger sums.
- Monitor updates: Follow Zcash’s official blog for network upgrades, like the upcoming ones in late 2025.
- Learn privacy basics: Shielding protects your data, but remember, entering and exiting pools can sometimes leave traces.
Lila: Thanks, John—that list makes it less intimidating!
Looking Ahead for Zcash and Privacy Coins
John: In the future, as blockchain adoption grows, privacy could become even more crucial. Hayes predicts ZEC could break $10,000, based on its utility, but that’s his view from sources like Pintu News. We’ll watch for developments in 2026, like potential integrations with other blockchains.
Lila: So, is this the start of a privacy revolution?
John: It might be, Lila. With shielded transactions hitting new highs, Zcash is proving its real-world use beyond speculation.
John: Wrapping this up, Arthur Hayes’ ‘withdraw and shield’ advice underscores the power of privacy in crypto—it’s a reminder to take control of your assets in an uncertain world. Whether you’re a newbie or seasoned trader, understanding these moves can empower your journey. And if you’d like even more exchange tips, have a look at this global guide.
Lila: Totally agree—privacy matters, and staying informed is key. Thanks for the chat, John; let’s keep an eye on Zcash’s wild ride!
This article was created using the original article below and verified real-time sources:
- Arthur Hayes’ ‘Withdraw and Shield’ Zcash War Cry Could Make ZEC’s Next Move Its Wildest Yet
- Arthur Hayes tells Zcash holders to withdraw from CEXs and ‘shield’ assets
- Arthur Hayes Issues Urgent Zcash Warning Amid Price Crash
- Zcash Price Prediction: Arthur Hayes Says ZEC Has the Potential to Break $10,000