Zcash Breaks $1,000 for First Time Since 2018 as Grayscale ETF Surges Past $400 Million
Zcash surged above $1,000 on Sept. 4, its first breach of that level since 2018, while Grayscale's ZCSH spot ETF grew past $400 million in assets within two weeks of launch.
Why it matters
The simultaneous rise in regulated ETF assets and leveraged crypto-native positions indicates capital is flowing into ZEC across both traditional and decentralized markets. The rally's scale—roughly 20% in 24 hours and nearly 100% over a month—combined with record futures open interest signals significant institutional and retail interest in privacy-focused cryptocurrencies.
Where the sources disagree
24-hour ZEC liquidation amount
Roughly $40 million in shorts liquidated
CryptoSlate
$13.24 million total liquidations, $11.26 million from shorts
U.Today
CryptoSlate reported roughly $40 million in shorts liquidated, while U.Today cited $13.24 million in total liquidations with $11.26 million from shorts
Grayscale ZCSH ETF asset total
$414.7 million as of Sept. 3
CryptoSlate
$463 million
CoinGape
CryptoSlate reported $414.7 million as of Sept. 3, while CoinGape reported $463 million at a later unspecified date
Key facts
Zcash broke above $1,000 on Sept. 4, 2026, its first time above that level since 2018
1,000 USDReported by CryptoSlate
Grayscale's ZCSH spot ETF crossed $400 million in assets within two weeks of its Aug. 25 NYSE Arca debut
400,000,000 USDReported by CryptoSlate
ZCSH assets reached $414.7 million as of Sept. 3, up from $304.6 million at Aug. 25 launch
414,700,000 USDDisputed figureReported by CryptoSlate
CoinGape reported ZCSH assets reached $463 million at a later date
463,000,000 USDDisputed figureReported by CoinGape
ZEC futures open interest crossed $2 billion for the first time
2,000,000,000 USDReported by CryptoSlate
Roughly $40 million of ZEC shorts were liquidated in 24 hours
40,000,000 USDDisputed figureReported by CryptoSlate
$13.24 million in leveraged ZEC positions liquidated in 24 hours, with $11.26 million from shorts and $1.98 million from longs
13,240,000 USDDisputed figureReported by U.Today
ZEC gained about 550% from its yearly low
550 %Reported by CoinGape
What happened
Zcash broke above $1,000 on Sept. 4, 2026, marking the first time the privacy-focused cryptocurrency surpassed that level since 2018. CryptoSlate reported an intraday high of $1,050.70, while U.Today recorded a high of $1,051. The rally lifted Grayscale's ZCSH ETF past $400 million in assets, with CryptoSlate citing $414.7 million as of Sept. 3 and CoinGape reporting $463 million at a later date. CoinGlass data showed futures open interest crossed $2 billion for the first time. The advance was accompanied by significant short liquidations, though sources disagreed on the magnitude: CryptoSlate reported roughly $40 million in ZEC shorts liquidated in 24 hours, while U.Today cited $13.24 million in total liquidations with $11.26 million from shorts. U.Today also noted a 562% liquidation imbalance between longs and shorts. The broader context included Bitcoin surpassing $82,000 and ETH reclaiming $2,500, though Zcash's move was considerably larger.
How the story developed
- Update
Short squeeze drives significant liquidations
Bearish traders were forced out of leveraged positions as ZEC rallied, with liquidation imbalances reported between 424% and 562%
- First report
First report by CryptoSlate
Zcash breaks $1,000 as its spot ETF crosses $400 million in assets
- Update
ZCSH spot ETF debuts on NYSE Arca
Grayscale's ZCSH ETF launched with inherited assets from the Grayscale Zcash Trust, starting with 387,849 ZEC and $304.6 million in assets
- Update
ZEC surges past $1,200
Zcash climbed an additional 20% within 24 hours to reach $1,210.67, briefly touching $1,225
- Independent corroboration
Independently corroborated by CoinGape
How High Can Zcash Price Go?
How coverage built up
Independent sources over time, counted the way the consensus panel counts them: a republication of a wire story does not move the line.
- 5 Sept 2026, 14:00 UTC: CryptoSlate — 1 independent source, 1 reports
- 5 Sept 2026, 21:37 UTC: U.Today — 2 independent sources, 2 reports
- 6 Sept 2026, 21:03 UTC: CoinGape — 3 independent sources, 3 reports
Affected entities
Also mentioned: Arbitrum, Chainlink, Litecoin, Monero
Original sources
| Publisher | Report | Role | Published |
|---|---|---|---|
| CryptoSlate Crypto media | Zcash breaks $1,000 as its spot ETF crosses $400 million in assets | Original | |
| CoinGape Crypto media | How High Can Zcash Price Go? | Independent | |
| U.Today Crypto media | Zcash Faces 424% Liquidation Imbalance Amid Short Squeeze | Syndicated |
Related events
Grayscale Announces 3-for-1 Share Split for Zcash ETF ZCSH
Grayscale is splitting its Zcash ETF shares three-for-one effective September 30 after the fund approached $1 billion in assets within weeks of launch.
