Arthur Hayes reveals the secret, why ZK Altcoin could be the belle of the ball in 2026?

Jakarta, Pintu News – The cryptocurrency market has seen a sharp decline, with Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other top altcoins taking a dive after a series of liquidations. Bitcoin is now trading at around $85,758, down more than 6% in a week.

Ethereum dropped to $2,810, while Solana, BNB, and XRP also struggled. However, attention is already starting to turn to 2026, where many analysts predict major changes thanks to privacy technology.

The Year of Privacy in 2026

Arthur Hayes, former CEO of BitMEX, said that trends in the crypto market move in clear annual themes. If 2025 was filled with AI tokens and the growth of stablecoins, 2026 is predicted to be dominated by the theme of privacy. According to Hayes, this will bring renewed attention to privacy-focused cryptocurrencies and the technology behind them.

Hayes specifically mentions Zcash as one that will greatly benefit from the upcoming trend. He argues that the demand for stronger on-chain privacy will increase, especially as global regulations tighten and traditional players enter the crypto space.

Zero-Knowledge Proof in the Spotlight

More than just existing privacy coins, Hayes emphasized that the biggest winners in the next year or two will be projects that build on zero-knowledge technology. Zero-knowledge proof allows users to prove the truth without revealing the underlying data.

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These technologies are becoming essential for blockchain scaling, private transactions, and increased security. Although Hayes admits that he doesn’t yet have a “perfect mental model” of which ZK projects might dominate, he believes the sector will produce standout winners, like other themes in previous cycles.

Maelstrom and the New Focus on the ZK Protocol

Hayes explained that his investment firm, Maelstrom, is shifting its research strategy and portfolio to the ZK ecosystem throughout the coming year. He compared this search to how Ethena, another successful bet, shaped their portfolio from 2024 to the present. Now, his team aims to identify similar high-performing projects for the period from 2026 to 2028.

Conclusion

With a significant shift in focus to privacy and zero-knowledge proof technologies, 2026 is expected to be an important turning point in the evolution of the cryptocurrency market. Investors and users are expected to pay more attention to privacy and security aspects, which will shape future market dynamics.

FAQ

What is zero-knowledge proof?

Zero-knowledge proof is a technology that allows users to prove the truth of a statement without revealing the underlying data, which is very useful for privacy and security in blockchain transactions.

Why is 2026 considered the year of privacy in the cryptocurrency world?

The year 2026 is predicted to be the year of privacy due to the growing need for more secure and private transactions amid tight global regulations and the entry of more traditional players into the crypto market.

Who is Arthur Hayes and what is his role in cryptocurrency trend prediction?

Arthur Hayes is the former CEO of the BitMEX cryptocurrency exchange and is known for his analysis of market trends. He predicts that 2026 will be dominated by privacy technologies in cryptocurrency.

What is the role of investment firm Maelstrom in the cryptocurrency ecosystem?

Maelstrom, led by Arthur Hayes, is focused on research and investment in new technologies in the cryptocurrency space, specifically ZK technology for years to come.

How will global regulation impact privacy trends in cryptocurrency?

Stricter global regulations are driving demand for technologies that can guarantee the privacy and security of transactions, thus driving the development and adoption of privacy coins and technologies such as zero-knowledge proof.

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*Disclaimer

This content aims to enrich readers’ information. Pintu collects this information from various relevant sources and is not influenced by outside parties. Note that an asset’s past performance does not determine its projected future performance. Crypto trading activities have high risk and volatility, always do your own research and use cold cash before investing. All activities of buying and selling bitcoin and other crypto asset investments are the responsibility of the reader.

Reference

• Coinpedia. Why Arthur Hayes Thinks Zero Knowledge Altcoins Could Explode in 2026. Accessed on December 3, 2025
• Featured Image: Generated by AI