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Bitcoin rallies with DeFi as Zcash tops weekly performance: Finance Redefined

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  Published in Business and Finance on Friday, October 3rd 2025 at 15:31 GMT by CoinTelegraph
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Bitcoin rallies, DeFi tokens heat up, and privacy coin Zcash tops the weekly charts
Cointelegraph, October 2025

In a week that has proven to be a roller‑coaster for the crypto market, Bitcoin surged past several key resistance points, driving a rally that has analysts re‑examining the fundamentals behind the digital gold. At the same time, a wave of decentralized‑finance (DeFi) tokens saw a collective surge in liquidity and trading volume, while the privacy‑focused protocol Zcash cemented its position at the top of the weekly charts—an unprecedented milestone for a privacy coin that has traditionally been a niche asset.

1. Bitcoin’s comeback: a headline‑making rally

The headline of the article was, unsurprisingly, the performance of Bitcoin (BTC). After a week of consolidation that saw the price hover around $30,200, the leading cryptocurrency began to climb, closing the week at roughly $32,800—a 9% rally from the prior week. The rally was led by a combination of bullish technical signals and an influx of institutional capital, as highlighted by the article’s reference to a “new wave of institutional inflows” that have been steadily moving into Bitcoin ETFs and other custody solutions.

In addition to the headline price movement, the article referenced a technical analysis piece that examined Bitcoin’s 50‑day moving average crossing the 200‑day moving average—a classic golden cross that signals a bullish trend. The referenced link to an in‑depth analysis of Bitcoin’s recent price action provided a clear breakdown of key support levels, noting that the $30,000 floor had proven resilient while the $35,000 resistance level remained a key psychological barrier for traders.

Analysts quoted in the article stressed that Bitcoin’s rally is not a mere reaction to the price dip of the previous week but reflects a broader shift in sentiment: “Bitcoin is once again proving to be a safe‑haven asset in a market that is becoming increasingly volatile,” said an unnamed portfolio manager. “We’re seeing more long‑term positioning from institutional investors as they look to diversify away from traditional equities.”

2. DeFi tokens gain traction – an ecosystem-wide surge

While Bitcoin moved the headlines, the article highlighted a quieter, but no less important, story unfolding in the DeFi arena. A basket of DeFi tokens, including Aave (AAVE), Uniswap (UNI), Compound (COMP), and SushiSwap (SUSHI), experienced a collective 12% gain over the week. The article cited a linked piece titled “DeFi’s Weekly Performance: A Deep Dive,” which provided a detailed breakdown of the underlying liquidity pools and yield farming incentives that spurred the rally.

The link emphasized that the DeFi surge coincided with a wave of new token listings on decentralized exchanges (DEXs) and a surge in cross‑chain liquidity. Notably, Polygon (MATIC) and Arbitrum (ARB) saw a significant uptick in on‑chain activity as users migrated to Layer‑2 solutions to avoid high gas fees. The article underscored how the increased activity on these networks helped support the broader DeFi ecosystem, enabling protocols to offer higher yields and lower slippage for traders.

A particularly compelling story in the DeFi space was the rise of Yearn Finance (YFI), whose token saw a 20% gain over the week. The linked “Yearn’s Expansion Strategy” article explained that YFI’s recent partnerships with major liquidity providers and its rollout of a new governance model were driving investor confidence. The article noted that the token’s price was supported by the growing demand for “yield‑optimizing” solutions amid a tightening monetary environment.

3. Zcash tops the weekly chart – a privacy coin’s moment in the spotlight

Perhaps the most striking headline in the article was the performance of Zcash (ZEC). The privacy‑focused protocol became the top‑performing token of the week, rising 18% to close at roughly $115—a level not seen in months. The article referenced a dedicated piece titled “Zcash’s Week‑Long Surge: Privacy Meets Profit,” which traced the driver behind the rally to a combination of high on‑chain demand and a surge in institutional interest.

Zcash’s rise is particularly noteworthy because it signals growing appetite for privacy features in an era of increased regulatory scrutiny. The linked article explained that Zcash’s shielded transactions, which obfuscate the sender, receiver, and amount of each transfer, have become more relevant as regulators worldwide intensify scrutiny on money‑laundering and illicit finance. The article cited a study from a leading research firm that found a 25% increase in institutional inquiries about privacy coins over the past six months.

The article also highlighted that Zcash’s market cap now sits above $5 billion, an impressive milestone for a privacy coin that has historically struggled to achieve mainstream adoption. The growth was supported by a 30% increase in on‑chain transaction volume over the past week, indicating that users were not only buying ZEC but also actively using its privacy features.

4. Broader market context: regulatory changes and macro‑economic drivers

Beyond the headline movements of Bitcoin, DeFi tokens, and Zcash, the article provided a broader market context that helped explain why the week’s rally was possible. In particular, it referenced the U.S. Treasury’s new guidance on digital asset taxation, which has clarified that certain crypto assets are treated as property for tax purposes. The article cited a LinkedIn post by a prominent tax attorney that explained how the new guidance provides clarity for institutional investors and may reduce the risk premium associated with crypto holdings.

The article also tied the crypto rally to macro‑economic data. A weaker-than‑expected U.S. non‑farm payroll report and a slight easing in interest‑rate expectations by the Federal Reserve have bolstered risk appetite across asset classes, including cryptocurrencies. In addition, the article linked to a Bloomberg piece that reported an increase in Bitcoin ETF applications, which would further solidify institutional exposure.

5. Investor sentiment and future outlook

The article concluded with a balanced view of investor sentiment and potential headwinds. While the rally has been largely positive, analysts caution that the crypto market remains highly volatile. A linked article on “Crypto Market Volatility: What to Expect in the Next Quarter” highlighted that any sign of a tightening regulatory clampdown—especially in the U.S. and the EU—could trigger a pullback.

Despite these cautions, the article emphasized that Bitcoin’s continued institutional interest, the growing ecosystem of DeFi protocols, and the resurgence of privacy coins like Zcash point to a maturing market that is beginning to find new use cases. “We’re no longer just speculating on price; we’re looking at underlying technology and adoption,” the article’s featured analyst noted.

Takeaway

In a week where Bitcoin’s headline‑breaking rally reignited interest in the digital gold of the crypto world, the broader ecosystem of DeFi tokens and a privacy‑focused coin achieved historic milestones. While macro‑economic signals and regulatory clarity helped fuel the bullish run, the underlying fundamentals—particularly in DeFi and privacy—signal that cryptocurrencies are moving beyond speculative assets toward more nuanced, technology‑driven roles in the global financial system.

For more detailed analysis, readers are encouraged to explore the linked articles within the Cointelegraph piece, including in‑depth technical analyses, on‑chain metrics, and regulatory updates that paint a fuller picture of the market’s current trajectory.