Privacy coins such as Monero and Zcash are gaining attention as digital banking and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) make financial transactions increasingly traceable. Historically, money transactions were private, but the advent of digital banking has shifted this paradigm, raising questions about the role of privacy-focused cryptocurrencies. These privacy coins offer a stark contrast to the transparency of CBDCs, which allow for comprehensive transaction tracking. As financial surveillance becomes more prevalent, the debate intensifies over whether privacy coins are a radical innovation or a return to traditional financial privacy norms.