In the ever

- Despite early hype and price drops from $900 to around $20, true believers stuck around.
-volatile world of cryptocurrency, where prices can skyrocket or plummet overnight, community strength often determines a project's longevity. A recent discussion on X (formerly Twitter) highlights this perfectly with Zcash (ZEC), a privacy-focused coin that's weathered significant storms. Kel, a forecaster in the crypto space, shared insights quoting Dan (@robustus), emphasizing why Zcash remains a powerhouse despite its price history.

Zcash launched with massive hype back in 2016, leveraging zero-knowledge proofs—think of them as a way to verify transactions without revealing sensitive details like amounts or addresses. This tech enables strong financial privacy, a core feature that's uniquely empowered by blockchain. As Dan points out, this pure focus on privacy tied to sound money principles set Zcash apart early on. It hit a peak of around $900 in 2017, drawing in big investors and starting with a market cap in the billions, which was rare at the time.

But the road hasn't been smooth. After that initial surge, Zcash's price chart turned into a tale of consistent declines, dropping to as low as $20. What could have been a death knell for many projects instead forged an unbreakable core of believers. These "true believers," as described, stuck around because of Zcash's fundamental value in privacy. Unlike fleeting trends, this community is built on conviction, not just hype.

Replies to the thread add color to this narrative. One user notes how delistings from exchanges made selling difficult, inadvertently creating diamond-handed holders—crypto slang for investors who hold through thick and thin. Another quips that this aligns with the "Murad thesis," referring to investor Murad Mahmudov's strategy of betting on assets with cult-like followings, much like successful meme tokens such as Dogecoin or Shiba Inu.

For those in the meme token space, Zcash's story is a masterclass. Meme coins thrive on community vibes, memes, and shared beliefs, often surviving bear markets through sheer loyalty. Just as Zcash's privacy mission retained its die-hards, meme projects with a strong narrative—be it fun, utility, or rebellion—can endure. If you're building or investing in meme tokens, focus on fostering that unshakeable community; it's what turns pain into potential gains.

This resilience isn't just anecdotal. Over eight years, Zcash has maintained development, with ongoing upgrades like the shift to proof-of-stake on the horizon. It shows that in crypto, especially for meme-inspired or niche projects, a dedicated base can outlast price volatility and regulatory hurdles.

Whether you're a blockchain practitioner eyeing privacy tech or a meme enthusiast hunting the next big thing, Zcash's journey reminds us: in crypto, the community is king. Keep an eye on projects with similar traits—they might just be the hidden gems waiting to rebound.