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OKX Announces the Relisting of ZEC After a Long Break: What’s Behind the Exchange’s Decision
OKX, the largest offshore crypto exchange focused on the Chinese-speaking market, has announced the relisting of Zcash (ZEC) for spot trading. Trading will begin on November 24, 2025, at 15:00 (MSK). This decision is especially notable given that between January 4 and 5, 2024, the exchange simultaneously removed three major privacy coins: Monero (XMR), Zcash (ZEC), and Dash (DASH). That mass delisting became one of the most significant blows to the privacy coin segment in recent years.
The reasons for removing these cryptocurrencies in 2024 were tied to tightening global AML/KYC regulations. Privacy coins attracted heightened scrutiny from regulators, especially in Asia and Europe, where authorities demanded that exchanges ensure the traceability of transactions.
Trading platforms operating in offshore jurisdictions, including OKX, were forced to minimize risks and reduce the number of assets exposed to potential regulatory pressure. At that time, privacy was viewed as a major risk factor, and the exchange chose a strict approach—removing all such coins at once.
The return of Zcash nearly two years later indicates a shift in OKX’s approach to listing privacy-focused cryptocurrencies. Analysts point to a possible easing of regulatory pressure in Asia as one reason for revisiting the decision. Some markets are gradually moving toward more flexible oversight models, focusing not on a full ban on privacy but on ensuring the possibility of selective transparency.
Zcash has long been developing mechanisms that allow for auditable transactions when necessary, making it more compatible with modern regulatory requirements.
Another reason may be the clear rise in interest in privacy in 2025. With increasing blockchain surveillance, expanding KYC requirements, and the centralization of infrastructure, a portion of users is returning to cryptocurrencies that offer basic financial confidentiality. In autumn 2025, ZEC caught the attention of institutional players. The coin’s price surged more than 14-fold in three months, bringing it very close to the top 10 cryptocurrencies.
See also: "A sharp spike in futures activity on Binance: BTC and top altcoin volumes hit multi-week highs"
