Digital Currency Group founder Barry Silbert told investors privacy-focused cryptocurrencies have 500x upside potential, positioning coins like Zcash as the next major opportunity in the crypto market.1
Silbert called the recent cryptocurrency crash "a gift from the crypto gods" that cleared out excess leverage and low-quality tokens, potentially opening the door for significant capital inflows into privacy-focused assets.1 The crash eliminated speculative froth that had built up across the market.
Bitcoin lost its original anonymity function as on-chain analytics firms emerged to track transactions, according to Silbert.1 "Bitcoin also started as an 'anonymous' currency, but then it 'lost the plot' due to the rise of on-chain analytics firms," he stated.1 This shift created a gap in the market for cryptocurrencies offering genuine transaction privacy.
Privacy coins use cryptographic techniques to obscure transaction details, including sender and receiver addresses and transfer amounts. Zcash employs zero-knowledge proofs to verify transactions without revealing underlying data.
Silbert emphasized Bitcoin won't replicate 500x returns unless the dollar collapses, making the risk-reward profile of privacy coins more attractive for investors seeking explosive growth.1 His firm has backed multiple blockchain ventures since 2013.
The privacy coin thesis faces regulatory headwinds. Exchanges in Japan, South Korea, and parts of Europe have delisted privacy tokens under anti-money laundering pressure. U.S. regulators have signaled concerns about coins that obscure transaction flows.
Zcash trades at significant capitaldown 96% from its significant capitalpeak in early 2018. Monero, another privacy coin, sits 93% below its all-time high. Both have underperformed Bitcoin and Ethereum over the past three years.Bitcoin ETFs attracted $20 billion in 2024, while privacy coin investment products remain niche.
Sources:
1 Yahoo Finance, "Barry Silbert Forecasts Up To 10% Of Bitcoin's Market Cap Will Move To Privacy Coins—Crypto Mogul Says Zcash Can Rocket 500x, BTC Won't" (February 16, 2026)
2 Barry Silbert, via Yahoo Finance
3 Barry Silbert, via Yahoo Finance
4 Barry Silbert, via Yahoo Finance
5 Barry Silbert, via Yahoo Finance
6 Barry Silbert, via Yahoo Finance
7 Barry Silbert, via Yahoo Finance
8 Barry Silbert, via Yahoo Finance
9 Barry Silbert, via Yahoo Finance
10 Barry Silbert, via Yahoo Finance
