Why did the price of ADA go up?
Cardano (ADA) increased by 3.64% in the last 24 hours, outperforming the overall crypto market, which rose by 1.12%. This growth is driven by excitement around a potential ETF approval, large investors buying more ADA, and positive technical signals.
- ETF Optimism – The SEC’s decision on an ADA ETF is expected by October 26.
- Whale Activity – Big investors recently purchased 150 million ADA, supporting the price around $0.85.
- Technical Breakout – Indicators show buying momentum and bullish chart patterns.
Deep Dive
1. ETF Speculation Heats Up (Positive for ADA)
Overview:
ADA’s price has climbed as investors anticipate the approval of a spot ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) for Cardano. Grayscale filed for this ETF in February 2025, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) expected to make a decision by October 26. Experts estimate there’s about a 63% chance it will be approved (Polymarket).
What this means:
If approved, the ETF would allow large institutions to invest in ADA more easily, similar to what happened with Bitcoin after its ETF approval. Interest from everyday investors is already growing, as shown by ADA’s 24-hour trading volume jumping 104% to $1.41 billion.
What to watch:
Keep an eye on any statements from the SEC before the October deadline and how Grayscale’s previous ETF applications have performed.
2. Whale Accumulation Strengthens Support (Positive for ADA)
Overview:
Large investors, often called “whales,” have bought about 150 million ADA (worth roughly $130 million) in recent weeks. This buying activity is helping to keep the price steady between $0.80 and $0.85. Data shows that more ADA is being moved off exchanges, reaching a three-month high on September 8 (Cardanians_io).
What this means:
Whales are preparing for potential price increases in the medium term by holding onto their ADA, which reduces the amount available for sale. Since ADA’s circulating supply is 35.8 billion coins (about 80% of the total possible supply), this scarcity could support higher prices as more people adopt Cardano.
3. Technical Momentum Builds (Mixed Signals)
Overview:
ADA’s price has moved above its 50-day simple moving average (SMA) at $0.83, triggering a TD Sequential buy signal—a technical indicator suggesting a potential upward move. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 49.81, indicating neutral momentum. However, Fibonacci retracement levels suggest the price could reach between $0.89 and $0.92 if it breaks through the $0.86 resistance level.
What this means:
Traders are aiming for ADA to reach between $0.90 and $1.00 in September. However, if the price falls below $0.85, some investors might take profits, which could slow the rally.
Conclusion
Cardano’s recent price increase is driven by a combination of ETF-related excitement, strategic buying by large investors, and encouraging technical signals. The $0.85 to $0.86 price range is a key level to watch. Continued buying and clear regulatory decisions could help ADA push toward $1.
Key points to watch: The SEC’s ETF decision on October 26 and whether ADA can close above $0.86 this week.
What could affect the price of ADA?
Cardano’s price depends on important software upgrades, changes in regulations, and big investors’ buying habits.
- Major Software Upgrades – $71 million from Cardano’s treasury is funding improvements like Hydra and Ouroboros Leios, which aim to make the network faster and more efficient (positive for price).
- ETF Approval Chances – There’s a 79% chance that a Cardano spot ETF will be approved by 2026, but this has mixed effects.
- Big Investor Buying – Large holders bought 180 million ADA tokens in August 2025, which is a positive sign.
Deep Dive
1. Major Software Upgrades (Positive Impact)
Overview: Cardano’s community voted to use $71 million from its treasury to improve the network’s speed and capacity (Bitcoinist). These upgrades include Hydra, a layer-2 solution that could handle over 1 million transactions per second, and Ouroboros Leios, which updates the way the network reaches agreement. These changes aim to fix delays that caused about 20% of transactions to slow down in 2025.
What this means: If these upgrades work well, more developers might build on Cardano, and more real-world projects (like Midnight’s privacy-focused sidechain) could launch. Past upgrades on other blockchains, like Solana’s 20% capacity increase in July 2025, led to price jumps of 30–50%.
2. ETF Approval Chances (Mixed Impact)
Overview: The chances of a Cardano spot ETF being approved rose to 79% after the SEC Chair, Paul Atkins, showed support for including crypto in retirement accounts (Cryptonewsland). However, the SEC’s decision deadline is October 26, 2025, and delays are possible.
What this means: If approved, a Cardano ETF could bring in lots of new investment, similar to how Bitcoin’s price jumped 60% after its ETF approval in 2024. But if the ETF is rejected, it could cause a price drop. Cardano’s classification as a non-security (according to recent SEC guidance on liquid staking) improves its chances, though regulatory uncertainty remains.
3. Big Investor Buying (Positive Impact)
Overview: Large Cardano holders, owning between 10 million and 100 million ADA, bought 180 million tokens (about $155 million) in August 2025 (CoinMarketCap). This reduced the amount of ADA available on exchanges to the lowest levels since 2024.
What this means: Big investors often buy before positive news or price increases. Similar buying activity happened before ADA’s 137% price rise in 2024. However, some profit-taking near the $0.90 price level (the August 2025 high) could limit short-term gains.
Conclusion
Cardano’s price is balancing between positive factors like technology upgrades and ETF hopes, and risks from regulations and execution challenges. The $0.80–$0.85 price range is important: if ADA stays above $0.90, it could reach $1.10 (based on technical analysis). But if it falls below, it might drop to $0.75. Key point to watch: Will the Ouroboros Leios upgrade be completed on time in 2026?
What are people saying about ADA?
Cardano’s community is buzzing with excitement and concerns. Here’s the latest:
- ETF buzz pushes price hopes above $1
- Technical breakout points to $2.30 target
- A big holder threatens to block upgrades
- New sidechain “Midnight” gains support
- Warning signs suggest a possible 30% drop
In-Depth Look
1. ETF Momentum Builds 🔥
John Morgan (@johnmorganFL) expects a spot ETF approval soon, aiming for Cardano (ADA) to hit $1 or more.
See original post
What this means: If the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approves an ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) for ADA, it could attract big institutional investors. This would likely increase demand and push prices higher. Cardano’s limited supply (35.8 billion coins circulating, max 45 billion) supports the idea that scarcity could drive value up. However, no official approval has been announced yet.
2. Technical Breakout Alert 🚨
An anonymous analyst points out a strong price rally of 135% since July, with a “falling wedge” chart pattern suggesting ADA could reach $2.30.
See original post
What this means: The technical pattern indicates a potential 155% price increase if ADA stays above $0.89. But the Relative Strength Index (RSI) is near overbought levels, meaning the price might be due for a pause or pullback. Traders should watch for a “golden cross” (when the 50-day moving average crosses above the 200-day moving average) as a sign of a strong upward trend.
3. Governance Rebellion 🚫
A large Cardano holder (@Cardano_Whale) is threatening to vote against all network upgrades until the development team (IOG) meets certain demands.
What this means: This could slow down important improvements like Hydra, which aims to make Cardano faster and more scalable. Currently, Cardano’s total value locked (TVL) in decentralized finance (DeFi) is $366 million, much lower than competitors like Solana at $20 billion. This raises concerns about Cardano’s growth and ecosystem health.
4. Midnight Goes Mainstream 🌙
The new sidechain project “Midnight” is gaining traction, with popular hardware wallets Ledger and Trezor supporting its NIGHT token airdrop.
See original post
What this means: Midnight focuses on privacy features, which could attract developers and users interested in secure transactions. However, the large airdrop of 24 billion NIGHT tokens might distract from Cardano’s main ADA token and its core uses.
5. Breakdown Risks Loom ⚠️
A technical trader warns of a bearish “inverse cup-and-handle” pattern that could lead to a 30% price drop, down to around $0.30.
See original post
What this means: This pattern has historically led to significant price declines. ADA’s current price of about $0.86 is 15% above a key support level at $0.73. If the price falls below this support, it could confirm the downside risk.
Conclusion
The outlook for Cardano is mixed. Optimists point to potential ETF approval and bullish chart signals, while skeptics worry about governance issues and weak DeFi activity. Key price levels to watch this week are resistance at $0.89 and support at $0.73. Also, keep an eye on updates regarding Grayscale’s ETF application. Will Cardano reclaim its “Ethereum killer” status, or will technical factors lead to profit-taking? Stay tuned.
What is the latest news about ADA?
Cardano is making steady progress by combining important technical improvements with clear regulatory steps. Big investors, known as whales, are buying more ADA near key price levels. Here’s the latest update:
- Treasury Approves $71M for Upgrades (September 8, 2025) – The community agreed to spend $71 million to improve Cardano’s network with projects like Hydra.
- Price Holds Strong at $0.80 (September 4, 2025) – Large investors are supporting ADA’s price around $0.80, keeping it stable.
- Audit Clears $600M Voucher Program (July 21, 2025) – An independent review found no issues with Cardano’s voucher program, boosting trust.
Deep Dive
1. Treasury Approves $71M for Upgrades (September 8, 2025)
Overview:
Cardano’s community approved a historic withdrawal of 96 million ADA (about $71 million) from its treasury to fund major upgrades. These include Hydra, a technology designed to make the network faster and cheaper; Ouroboros Leios, which improves how the network reaches agreement; and Mithril, which helps nodes sync more efficiently. The funds will be released only when specific milestones are met, with a third party called Intersect overseeing the process to ensure transparency.
What this means:
This is good news for ADA holders because it aims to make Cardano faster and more scalable, which is key for competing with other blockchains like Solana and Ethereum. Hydra could lower transaction fees to less than one cent. However, there’s always a risk that some upgrades might take longer than expected.
(Cardano Community Digest)
2. Price Holds Strong at $0.80 (September 4, 2025)
Overview:
ADA’s price has stayed steady between $0.80 and $0.85. Big investors bought about 150 million ADA in August to support this price level. Technical indicators show a neutral trend, but the price remains above its 200-day moving average of $0.73, which usually signals a positive long-term trend. The next resistance level is between $0.90 and $1.00.
What this means:
In the short term, this is neutral for ADA. The support from whales shows confidence, but weaker activity from everyday traders might slow down any big price jump. If ADA breaks above $0.90, it could gain momentum toward $1.10.
(Bitget Academy)
3. Audit Clears $600M Voucher Program (July 21, 2025)
Overview:
An independent audit confirmed that Cardano’s $600 million voucher program was managed properly, clearing up previous concerns that had put pressure on ADA’s price. Cardano’s founder, Charles Hoskinson, shared the audit results in a livestream, highlighting the project’s transparency.
What this means:
This is positive for ADA because it removes doubts about Cardano’s management and builds trust. The public audit shows Cardano’s commitment to accountability, which could attract more institutional investors. It also reduces regulatory risks now that the issue is resolved.
(CoinMarketCap Community)
Conclusion
Cardano’s approach of combining community funding, technical upgrades, and transparent audits sets it up for potential growth. While the price needs to break above $0.90 to gain momentum, strong governance and support from large investors provide a solid base. The big question remains: will Hydra’s rollout help Cardano challenge Ethereum’s dominance in decentralized finance (DeFi)?
What is expected in the development of ADA?
Cardano’s roadmap is focused on improving scalability, governance, and growing its ecosystem through these main projects:
- Ouroboros Leios (Q4 2025) – An upgraded consensus protocol to handle more transactions faster.
- Midnight Protocol Airdrop (November 2025) – Distribution of a privacy-focused sidechain token to ADA holders.
- Project Acropolis (2026) – A redesign of Cardano’s node system to make it easier for developers to build on.
- Hydra v1.0 Mainnet (Milestone-Driven) – A Layer-2 solution designed to enable very low-cost, fast transactions.
Deep Dive
1. Ouroboros Leios (Q4 2025)
Overview:
Ouroboros Leios is the next version of Cardano’s core technology that helps the network agree on transactions. It aims to increase the number of transactions the network can process at once, while still being energy-efficient and decentralized.
What this means:
This upgrade is positive for ADA because it addresses Cardano’s past limits on transaction speed, potentially making it suitable for large-scale business use. However, since it was initially planned for 2024, any delays might test the patience of the community.
2. Midnight Protocol Airdrop (November 2025)
Overview:
Midnight is a privacy-focused sidechain on Cardano. It will distribute its native token, $NIGHT, to ADA holders through a “Glacier Drop.” This airdrop will reach 37 million wallets across eight blockchains, focusing more on everyday users than big institutions (Input Output).
What this means:
This is somewhat positive — the airdrop could bring new users to Cardano, but the success of Midnight depends on how widely its privacy features are adopted. There is also a risk of regulatory challenges because privacy-focused technologies often attract scrutiny.
3. Project Acropolis (2026)
Overview:
Project Acropolis involves redesigning Cardano’s node software to be modular. This means it will be easier for developers to contribute and for different systems to work together. This project is part of a $71 million community-funded plan approved in August 2025 (CoinMarketCap).
What this means:
This is positive for the long term — making nodes more flexible could speed up development across the Cardano ecosystem. However, because it involves major changes to core infrastructure, there are risks in successfully completing it.
4. Hydra v1.0 Mainnet (Milestone-Driven)
Overview:
Hydra is Cardano’s Layer-2 scaling solution designed to enable very fast and cheap transactions, including micro-payments. Its full launch depends on reaching certain milestones funded by the $71 million treasury.
What this means:
This has high potential impact but has faced delays — Hydra is important for Cardano to compete in decentralized finance (DeFi). However, delays since 2023 have caused some doubts. If successfully launched, it could attract many developers to Cardano.
Conclusion
Cardano’s roadmap combines important technical upgrades (Ouroboros Leios, Hydra) with efforts to grow its ecosystem (Midnight, Acropolis), all backed by a significant $71 million community fund. While there are many positive factors, challenges remain around meeting timelines and regulatory risks, especially for privacy features. Will Cardano’s careful, step-by-step approach help it outpace competitors in the 2026 race to scale blockchain technology?
What updates are there in the ADA code base?
Cardano’s technology is moving forward with important updates that improve how the network works, making it faster, more scalable, and easier to use.
- Ouroboros Leios Upgrade (September 8, 2025) – Founder Charles Hoskinson emphasized the need to speed up this upgrade to handle more transactions efficiently.
- Community-Funded Improvements (August 4, 2025) – The community approved $71 million to support projects like Hydra, Mithril, and better node management.
- Account Enhancement CIP (August 5, 2025) – This update allows decentralized apps (dApps) to charge small fees in tokens other than ADA, making transactions cheaper and smoother.
In-Depth Look
1. Ouroboros Leios Upgrade (September 8, 2025)
What it is: Cardano’s founder, Charles Hoskinson, called this upgrade “competitively necessary.” It’s designed to make the network faster by improving how transactions are processed and blocks are confirmed, without sacrificing security or decentralization.
This upgrade uses advanced cryptography to reduce delays, aiming to support more users and applications, especially in decentralized finance (DeFi) and gaming.
Why it matters: Faster transaction speeds can attract more developers and users to Cardano, strengthening its position as a leading smart contract platform. (Source)
2. Community-Funded Improvements (August 4, 2025)
What it is: Cardano’s community approved a $71 million budget for a year-long plan that includes:
- Hydra: A layer-2 solution to increase transaction capacity.
- Mithril: Lightweight clients that make it easier to run nodes.
- Project Acropolis: Improving how nodes are structured and managed.
Funding is tied to milestones, ensuring progress is tracked by the Intersect team. Goals include using less memory, making stake pools more efficient, and enabling transactions across different blockchains.
Why it matters: While this may not have an immediate impact on ADA’s price, these upgrades are important for long-term growth by making the network more efficient and developer-friendly. (Source)
3. Account Enhancement CIP (August 5, 2025)
What it is: This proposal lets dApps accept transaction fees in tokens other than ADA and allows locking of non-ADA deposits. It solves the problem of high minimum fees by enabling very small (micro) fees.
By changing how deposits are handled, this update bypasses Cardano’s rule that usually requires a minimum of 1 ADA per transaction output. Developers see this as a major improvement for user experience in DeFi.
Why it matters: Lower fees and more flexible payment options can encourage more people to use Cardano’s dApps, boosting activity and liquidity on the network. (Source)
Conclusion
Cardano is making big improvements focused on speed (Leios, Hydra), governance (community funding), and usability (Account CIP). These upgrades aim to help ADA compete better in fast-growing areas like DeFi and Web3.
The key question: How will these technical improvements translate into real growth for the Cardano ecosystem over the next 6 to 12 months?