21Shares Launches Europe's First Zcash ETP Amid Growing Investor Interest
Vexoda Newsroom
Asset manager 21Shares has introduced the first European exchange-traded product for Zcash (ZEC), enabling broader investor access to the privacy-focused cryptocurrency on major European exchanges.
European asset manager 21Shares has made a significant move by launching the continent's inaugural exchange-traded product (ETP) backed by Zcash (ZEC). This new ETP, listed on both Euronext Paris and Amsterdam, allows traditional investors to gain exposure to Zcash through their regular brokerage accounts without the complexities of directly holding the digital asset. The product is physically backed, meaning it holds the underlying Zcash cryptocurrency, providing a direct link to the asset's performance.
This launch by 21Shares is particularly noteworthy as it introduces Zcash to a regulated European market, expanding its accessibility beyond crypto-native platforms. Alongside the Zcash ETP, 21Shares also debuted an ETP tracking the ETHFI token, the governance and utility token for the Ether.fi decentralized finance protocol. Both new ETPs come with an annual management fee of 2.5%, a rate that is considerably higher than those typically seen for established cryptocurrency ETPs like those tracking Bitcoin or Ether.
The introduction of the Zcash ETP in Europe mirrors a similar development in the United States, where Grayscale recently launched its own Zcash ETF, trading on the NYSE Arca. These concurrent listings in major financial jurisdictions underscore a growing institutional appetite for privacy-focused cryptocurrencies. This increased interest has been fueled, in part, by Zcash's remarkable performance, which has seen its price surge significantly over the past year, positioning it as an increasingly attractive asset for institutional investors.
Zcash has experienced a dramatic price appreciation, recently surpassing the $1,500 mark and achieving an impressive gain of nearly 1,100% in the past twelve months. This performance has reignited discussions about Zcash's potential as an alternative to Bitcoin (BTC). Analysts have suggested that Zcash might leverage "second-mover advantages" to overcome Bitcoin's established network effects, a challenge that previous cryptocurrencies have struggled to surmount. This narrative is attracting attention from both investors and mining operations.
The growing interest in Zcash is also evident in the mining sector, with companies like Fortitude Digital Mining significantly increasing their ZEC mining operations. Fortitude Digital Mining reported mining approximately 28% of all newly issued ZEC in the first half of 2026, citing Zcash's proof-of-work model, capped supply, and robust privacy features as key draws. The company's substantial involvement highlights the increasing operational focus on Zcash within the mining community.
For traders, the launch of these ETPs represents increased liquidity and easier access to Zcash and ETHFI within traditional financial frameworks. However, the higher management fees associated with these specific products warrant careful consideration. Investors should monitor the performance of these ETPs, the broader adoption of Zcash, and any further regulatory developments or technological upgrades, such as the upcoming Ironwood upgrade, which could impact the privacy coin's ecosystem and market position.
Source: Cointelegraph. Summarized and rewritten by the Vexoda Newsroom. This is market news, not financial advice.