Crypto market analyst iL Capo of Crypto argues that one of the most overlooked shifts heading into 2026 is not about price levels, but about what kind of money investors want to hold.
His view is that the long-standing obsession with transparency is starting to give way to a growing demand for financial privacy. Rather than framing this as a political or ideological movement, iL Capo interprets it as a structural market response to how digital finance is evolving.
Key Takeaways
iL Capo of Crypto says privacy is being repriced as digital money becomes easier to monitor and control.
He views the recent strength in Monero as capital rotation, not speculation.
A concentrated privacy narrative could drive sharp market moves into 2026.
From Transparency to Exposure
For years, open ledgers were marketed as a breakthrough feature. According to iL Capo, that logic no longer holds unchallenged. As financial systems become more automated and interconnected, transparency increasingly functions as a form of exposure.
In his assessment, the combination of advanced analytics, artificial intelligence, and publicly accessible transaction data turns visibility into a weakness. What once signaled trust is now beginning to resemble a security risk.
Market Rotation Signals a Change in Priorities
iL Capo points to recent price behavior as early confirmation of this shift. While Bitcoin corrected sharply from its all-time high, privacy-focused assets moved decisively higher. Both Monero and Zcash outperformed during a period of broader uncertainty.
He interprets this divergence as capital rotation rather than speculative excess. Historically, such rotations often precede larger narrative expansions.
Programmable Money Changes Risk Perception
Another pillar of iL Capo’s thesis centers on programmability. As central banks explore digital currencies and rule-based monetary systems, money itself becomes subject to conditions, restrictions, and behavioral incentives.
While these systems may improve efficiency, iL Capo argues that markets are beginning to price in their potential downside. Assets that cannot be altered, frozen, or controlled by a central issuer increasingly function as hedges against systemic control, not against institutions themselves.
Privacy as a Security Layer
In iL Capo’s view, privacy is no longer just about anonymity. It is about security. Public blockchains expose balances, spending patterns, and counterparties by default. As analytical tools become more powerful, this transparency makes both individuals and corporations easier to profile and target.
He notes that this is one reason why enterprises remain hesitant to fully adopt transparent networks such as Ethereum or Solana for sensitive operations.
Why Monero Anchors the Narrative
Within the privacy sector, iL Capo identifies Monero as the core asset. Despite newer technologies emerging, Monero’s liquidity, network effects, and track record keep it at the center of the theme. Technically, he views its current structure as a prolonged compression phase with breakout potential.
Because privacy assets form a relatively small segment, he suggests that a decisive move in Monero could rapidly pull the entire narrative into focus.
A Repricing, Not a Panic Trade
iL Capo is careful to frame his thesis as strategic rather than alarmist. The market is not pricing in fear, but optionality. As cash fades, reporting expands, and transparency becomes a double-edged sword, privacy is being reassessed as essential infrastructure.
If this interpretation proves correct, iL Capo believes the privacy theme could dominate market attention for extended periods in 2026 – driven by structural change rather than short-term speculation.
