Barry Silbert, the founder of Grayscale, has shared a series of significant projections regarding the evolution of traditional financial markets and the long-term valuation of privacy-focused cryptocurrencies. Speaking at the YZi Labs Bhutan event on August 25, 2026, Silbert discussed the inevitable transition of the United States stock market toward a 24/7 trading cycle and expressed a highly optimistic outlook for Zcash (ZEC), suggesting the asset could eventually reach a price target of $2,000.
The Shift Toward Perpetual Equity Markets
Silbert anticipates that US stock trading will achieve a 7x24 operational model within the next five years. This acceleration is largely attributed to competitive pressures from decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. Specifically, Silbert noted that the entry of Hyperliquid into the US market is a catalyst that may force traditional exchanges to modernize their infrastructure. Hyperliquid is a decentralized perpetual exchange known for high-speed trading capabilities.
The founder further analyzed the impact of this shift on tokenized stocks. While these digital representations of equities are currently popular due to their around-the-clock availability, Silbert argued that:
- Real-world US market integration of 24/7 trading will reduce the local appeal of tokenized assets.
- Tokenized equities will remain strategically meaningful in non-US regions where access to primary markets is restricted.
- The convergence of traditional finance (TradFi) and blockchain technology will likely prioritize direct market access over synthetic wrappers.
Privacy Coins vs. Speculative Meme Assets
Addressing the current market trend of meme coins, Silbert categorized the sector as essentially "gambling." He advised investors seeking high-risk opportunities to look toward projects with fundamental utility rather than speculative tokens. In this context, he highlighted Zcash (ZEC) as a superior alternative, citing its technical foundation.
"The best option is to buy ZEC", Silbert remarked, noting that the asset is built upon the Bitcoin codebase but integrates enhanced privacy features.
Silbert’s long-term thesis for Zcash involves its market capitalization reaching one-tenth of Bitcoin’s valuation. Based on current market dynamics and Bitcoin's established dominance, such a growth trajectory would place the price of ZEC at approximately $2,000 per unit. Zcash utilizes Zero-Knowledge Proofs (zk-SNARKs) to allow users to transact without revealing sensitive metadata.
In conclusion, Silbert’s insights suggest a future where the boundaries between crypto-asset markets and traditional equities continue to blur through increased availability. While he remains skeptical of the long-term value proposition of meme coins, his conviction in privacy-preserving technologies and the modernization of US financial infrastructure reflects a broader trend of institutional expectation for a more fluid, digital-first global economy.
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For educational purposes only. Nothing here constitutes financial or investment advice. Crypto markets are highly volatile — always DYOR before making any decisions.
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