In the second quarter of 2025, Monero (XMR), a prominent cryptocurrency focused on privacy, experienced a significant increase of 150% in just two months, reaching its highest price level since June 2021.

Despite this notable surge, the rise of XMR did not generate much attention on social media platforms, with few experts or influencers discussing it. This price surge is more than just a financial story; it reflects a larger trend in the cryptocurrency market, showcasing the growing demand for privacy-oriented coins.

The increase in Monero's price in May was fueled by various factors. Its market capitalization surpassed $7.2 billion, elevating it to a position in the top 25 on CoinMarketCap.

During its rally, Monero's price peaked at $420, a remarkable surge of 150% from early April. At its highest point, Monero briefly exceeded the market caps of Litecoin (LTC) and Toncoin (TON) before stabilizing at $394, its highest level in almost four years since June 2021.

One of the significant drivers behind this surge was the rising hashrate of Monero in May, reaching a record high of 6.33 GH/s according to CoinWarz. This increase indicates a growing number of miners joining the network, showcasing their long-term confidence in Monero's future and strengthening the network's security and decentralization.

Apart from miners, investor interest in XMR has been increasing, as evidenced by Google Trends data. Searches for Monero have been consistently above 50 points throughout 2025, with a notable spike in the past two months, reaching 90, the highest level since August 2024. This surge in interest coincided with rumors of XMR potentially being relisted on major exchanges.

Monero's popularity stems from its strong privacy features, utilizing advanced protocols like ring signatures to conceal transaction details, such as sender identity and transaction amount. The upcoming upgrade of Full Chain Membership Proofs (FCMP++) promises enhanced transaction anonymity and quantum resistance, further enhancing Monero's appeal.

While the surge in Monero's price may also be associated with illicit activities, such as funding solicitations by groups like the Islamic State and hackers using XMR for money laundering, the overall privacy coin sector has been experiencing significant growth. Privacy coins have shown an average increase of over 63% in the past month, showcasing the increasing demand for on-chain privacy solutions amidst global financial surveillance concerns.