The recent market dip has sent Bitcoin below $100,000, sparking significant FUD across the crypto sector. The only niche to defy the downtrend is that of privacy coins, where projects like GhostwareOS and Zcash are thriving.
The recent market dip has sent Bitcoin below $100,000, sparking significant FUD across the crypto sector. The only niche to defy the downtrend is that of privacy coins, where projects like GhostwareOS and Zcash are thriving.
Meanwhile, DASH and the Monero price took a hit. However, they should soon recover to confirm the historical trend of traders rotating cash flows toward privacy-centric coins during severe FUD.
A small-cap privacy coin like GhostwareOS ($GHOST) could now attract significant capital flowing out of large-cap cryptocurrencies. This movement may yield substantial returns later, making it a strong contender for the top altcoin to buy now.
Privacy coins could be reliable options for anonymity-focused traders and others. The crypto community is steadily embracing these cryptocurrencies that aim to enhance user control and fight censorship. Moreover, the privacy niche has recorded incremental gains throughout 2025, reaching a current market cap of $64.3 billion.
GhostwareOS is a Solana-based privacy coin that aims to give users greater control over their blockchain operations. The project advocates for complete anonymity and regards privacy as a fundamental human right in decentralized finance. In fact, its philosophy stems from the principles supported by the Freedom of the Press Foundation, focusing on digital security and freedom from censorship.
For GhostwareOS, the right to private payments does not contradict the fundamentals of blockchain technology. On the contrary, the team believes that users should have access to complete privacy as an inherent feature of the blockchain experience.
At the heart of the GhostwareOS protocol is GhostPay, which allows users to complete instant, untraceable transactions on Solana with 100% anonymity. This system has an extra privacy layer in Darkrelay Messaging, a communication channel for encrypted, P2P messages between users.

GHOST also has one of the best performances of new privacy coins. Following its launch in late October, the coin's market cap surged from around $1 million to over $26 million. The subsequent market dip corrected its trajectory, but not by much, leaving it at around $4.2 million. This low valuation increases the coin’s appeal for traders seeking up-and-coming tokens.
The project leverages the best features privacy coins offer. For instance, it uses a similar mechanism to hide transaction amounts as Zcash does. Also, it masks wallet identity like Monero does for its users. These features, coupled with a robust technology and fast-growing roots within the Solana ecosystem, make GHOST a potential altcoin.
ZEC is the best-performing privacy coin despite the aggressive market dip. The project is swimming against the current, boasting a yearly growth of 1,095.4%. In fact, the Zcash price reached $750 in August during a brief market slump. Therefore, traders are wondering whether it will go even higher this time around.
ZEC also boasts the largest market capitalization at $9.11 billion out of all privacy coins, accounting for over 14% of the niche’s entire market cap. The project enjoys considerable community support. However, unlike GhostwareOS, its privacy features are only optional and not inherent to the coin’s use. This aspect could deter traders seeking complete anonymity in their transactions.
Monero (XMR) is the oldest privacy coin on the market, with a long-established community and a clear development path. However, this did not prevent it from joining the rest of the market in the recent downtrend. Its popularity, widespread use, and large market cap could help XMR recover. However, traders may have to wait a while for that as the coin lacks the adoption pace of other assets, such as GHOST.
Privacy coins maintain the traders’ interest alive in an otherwise bleak crypto market. Some anonymity-focused tokens, including DASH and Monero, are also dipping. But they have all the attributes to recover and maintain the spotlight on the privacy niche.
Meanwhile, GHOST contrasts the weakening Monero price with a consistent rise. The coin benefits from a low valuation, an advanced technology stack, and integration with the Solana network. The coin is challenging the rising Zcash price, making it a reliable option for buying the top altcoin to buy now.
Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency investments are risky and highly volatile. This is not financial advice; always do your research. Our editors are not involved, and we do not take responsibility for any losses.