Which cryptocurrencies gained in 2025? Discover the assets that defied the market downturn

2025 was a year of extreme volatility for the cryptocurrency market, marked by significant corrections especially towards the end of the year. However, amidst this turbulence, clear winners emerged that not only withstood the pressure but also recorded extraordinary gains.

The three major protagonists of the year

While most of the crypto market faced difficulties, three assets stood out for their exceptional performance: Zcash (ZEC) led with gains exceeding 700%, followed by Monero (XMR) with increases of over 120%, and a utility token that closed 2025 with gains close to 110%. This phenomenon reflects a fascinating sector rotation that traders followed meticulously.

Zcash: The resurgence of privacy

Project context

Zcash was launched in 2016 by Electric Coin Company as a privacy-focused alternative. Its zk-SNARKs technology allows for optional confidential transactions, differentiating it from other cryptocurrencies by offering a balance between transparency and anonymity.

Performance in 2025

According to CoinMarketCap, ZEC achieved a performance of +741.73% during the year, with a current price of $407.67. The most spectacular movement occurred between September and November, when the coin experienced an increase of over 400% in October alone. Despite December corrections, the asset maintained significant gains until the end of the year.

Catalysts for the movement

Several factors converged to boost Zcash’s price:

• A widespread rotation towards privacy tokens after years of focus on other narratives
• Support from influential figures in the crypto industry, including the renowned investor Naval Ravikant, who publicly endorsed Zcash’s value proposition as “a hedge against Bitcoin”
• Media coverage documenting how ZEC surpassed $500 y and re-entered the top market cap ranking
• Explosive activity in derivatives and spot markets demonstrating institutional interest
• Record searches on trading platforms, positioning ZEC as one of the most searched assets during November

This trend represented a “return of the dinosaurs” in crypto nomenclature: old coins that gained relevance again through sector rotation.

Monero: The recovery of true privacy

Project genesis

Monero was born in 2014 as one of the first cryptocurrencies with privacy built-in by default. Its ring signatures and stealth addresses architecture, combined with strong community support, allowed the project to recover from previous exchange exclusions.

Price trajectory in 2025

XMR recorded an approximate gain of 129% during the year after starting from a weak position in the early months. The asset hit new cyclical highs during the fourth quarter, demonstrating a progressive recovery.

Events that drove the movement

Two key moments catalyzed Monero’s rise:

• In April, a massive exchange of 3,520 BTC (approximately $330 millions at that time) for XMR generated a price shock that significantly amplified trading volumes
• In mid-May, renewed narratives about privacy improvements along with speculations from relists fueled a new bullish impulse

On-chain analysts played a crucial role tracking these capital movements, identifying short squeezes in a low-liquidity environment, and documenting the activity that characterized this movement.

OKB: The utility token that defied gravity

Asset nature

OKB operates as a utility token initially designed for fees, launches, and access to ecosystems within its associated platform. In 2025, it underwent a transformation in its tokenomics that linked it more closely to layer 2 technology initiatives.

Performance and recovery

Despite notable setbacks after a peak in August, OKB closed 2025 with a performance of +135.80%, with a current price of $111.96. The December correction did not significantly erode the year’s gains.

The token burn event

An announcement in August marked a turning point: the scheduled destruction of 65.26 million tokens, reducing the total circulating supply and creating a constrained supply dynamic. This event caused:

• An intraday price movement that more than doubled the quote
• A 13,000% increase in trading volume during the announcement
• A classic supply-side squeeze that attracted both spot traders and quick capital funds
• Liquidity spikes and activity that extended immediately after the event

Final reflections: What do we learn?

The performance of these three assets in 2025 revealed a clear pattern: sector rotation remains a dominant strategy in cryptocurrencies. While the market moved sideways or generally declined, traders identified specific opportunities in abandoned narratives (privacy), resilient community projects, and deflationary supply mechanisms.

For market observers, 2025 offers a valuable lesson: not all assets move at the same pace, and often the biggest rewards are found in unexpected places where multiple bullish narratives converge.