[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong] Privacy-focused cryptocurrency Zcash (ZEC) is marking its 10th anniversary, drawing renewed attention for its track record of technological progress and a recent rise in price. It has improved protection for transaction information and usability through network upgrades. As artificial intelligence spreads and worries about data tracking grow, the value of privacy technology is also being reconsidered.

On Oct. 28 (local time), blockchain outlet U.Today reported that Zcash has undergone 10 major network upgrades since its launch in October 2016, improving privacy features and transaction efficiency.

Zcash highlights shielded transactions as a core function, keeping transaction details such as sender, recipient and amount from being disclosed. It initially faced criticism for slow transaction speeds and complex procedures. Continued technical improvements have since enabled shielded payments in mobile environments.

Key changes include the Sapling and Blossom upgrades. Sapling improved computational efficiency for shielded transactions, allowing payments to be processed on mobile devices. Blossom cut block production time in half, improving transaction confirmation speeds.

Later, Heartwood and Canopy revised the network structure and funding system. The NU5 upgrade in particular introduced the Orchard protocol and a Flower-based proving system, improving the efficiency and security structure of existing shielded transactions. It also reduced reliance on the trusted setup process required in the initial design stage.

Zcash later continued to refine the protocol through follow-up upgrades including NU6, NU6.1, NU6.2 and NU6.3. The development process so far has focused not only on privacy features but also on improving network operations and overall usability.

A recent price rally is also behind Zcash drawing renewed market attention. ZEC traded in a $400 to $550 range on daily charts this summer, then achieved an upside breakout in late August. It then extended gains and surged to around $1,700 in late September.

A pullback followed the sharp rise. ZEC fell below $1,100 in mid-October but later rebounded. U.Today put the price at around $1,308 at the time, back above short-term moving averages.

Technical analysis points to around $1,200 as an initial support level. That level has seen buying interest flow in multiple times in October. If support breaks, it could test around $1,050 again, and further declines could bring $820 as the next support zone.

If the uptrend continues, around $1,370 is seen as the first resistance. Analysts say a close above that level could open the possibility of another attempt at $1,500. Such levels are reference indicators based on technical analysis and can change depending on actual market moves.

Indicators showing whether the market is overheated remain relatively neutral. The relative strength index (RSI) is around 55, not in overbought or oversold territory. Trading volume has also stayed calm after a peak formed, making it difficult to conclude that strong buying has returned in earnest.

Separately from price moves, some assessments say Zcash's long-term competitiveness lies in its privacy technology. As AI spreads and concerns grow over online data collection and tracking, demand to protect personal information in financial transactions is also drawing interest. Zcash's shielded technology, which can selectively disclose transaction information, is being highlighted again in this environment.

The 10th anniversary is also meaningful in that Zcash has continued its technological development beyond short-term market attention. Still, whether interest in privacy features will translate into greater usage and sustained demand is a separate question.

In the short term, whether $1,200 holds as support and whether $1,370 is broken are key variables for gauging price direction. Over the long term, improvements in the usability of shielded transactions and broader adoption are expected to determine Zcash's competitiveness.