Zcash (ZEC) has broken above the 50-day moving average and simultaneously dismantled the downward channel. An analyst states that the coin is currently heading towards $540. Meanwhile, the Zcash Ironwood (Network Upgrade 6.3) upgrade is expected to activate in late July 2026, with July 21 being the tentative mainnet target that has been widely referenced.
Zcash has broken out of the downward channel
As shown in the chart below, Zcash has broken above both the 50-day moving average and the downward channel. The 50-day moving average is widely used to gauge the medium-term trend. When the price trades below this level, it suggests sellers are in control and rallies tend to face resistance. By reclaiming the 50-day moving average, ZEC is showing renewed buying strength, indicating that momentum may be shifting from bearish to bullish.
Meanwhile, the breakout above the descending channel is even more significant. A descending channel forms when price consistently makes lower highs and lower lows, reflecting a prolonged downtrend. Breaking above the upper boundary of this channel suggests that the pattern of declining prices has been disrupted and that sellers are losing their grip on the market.
When these two signals occur together, they often strengthen the case for a trend reversal. If buyers can maintain control and defend these levels as support, ZEC could be positioned for a broader recovery, particularly with the upcoming Ironwood upgrade acting as a potential catalyst for increased investor interest.
Zcash Ironwood could be activated in July
The Zcash Ironwood (Network Upgrade 6.3) is scheduled to activate on July 28, 2026, at block height 3,428,143, after developers postponed the original July 21 target to give exchanges, wallets, mining pools, and node operators more time to prepare for the upgrade.
Ironwood is one of the most significant upgrades in Zcash’s history, as it addresses the critical vulnerability discovered in the Orchard shielded pool. The upgrade introduces a new shielded pool and a turnstile mechanism that allows anyone running a Zcash node to verify the network’s circulating supply while preserving user privacy.
This ensures that any counterfeit ZEC, if it exists, cannot enter the new pool, restoring confidence in Zcash’s fixed 21 million coin supply. Additionally, Ironwood includes formally verified cryptographic circuits and independent security audits, making the network more secure, transparent, and resilient against future exploits while maintaining its industry-leading privacy features.
Ardi, the analyst stated that ZEC is on its way to reaching $540. And the upgrade coming at the end of July will affect Zcash reaching $540.
