Grayscale Research: Bitcoin Is Returning to Its "Currency Depreciation Trade" Attribute, Zcash May Become One of the Biggest Beneficiaries

According to the latest report released by Grayscale Research Director Zach Pandl, as U.S. federal debt surpasses $40 trillion, Bitcoin's 90-day correlation with the Nasdaq 100 Index has dropped from over 60% to approximately 33%, while its correlation with gold has risen from near zero at the start of the year to above 50%, indicating that Bitcoin is shifting from a high-beta risk asset to an inflation-resistant store of value. Grayscale believes that expanding fiscal deficits and rising long-end interest rates will drive investors toward scarce alternative assets, positioning Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Zcash as primary beneficiaries. Among them, Zcash, featuring financial privacy, quantum resistance, and cross-chain interoperability, is considered to have the potential to challenge Bitcoin's network effect, despite its market capitalization currently accounting for less than 1% of Bitcoin's. Additionally, Grayscale notes that the current Bitcoin bear market has persisted for roughly 10 months, approaching the historical average bear market cycle of 11–12 months. Coupled with a macroeconomic environment that is becoming increasingly supportive, it suggests that current prices may represent a favorable entry point for long-term investors.