What is expected in the development of ADA?
Cardano is focusing on improving scalability, ease of use, and real-world adoption. Here are the key upcoming milestones:
- Midnight Glacier Drop (November 2025) – A privacy-focused token airdrop.
- Cardano Card Launch (Q4 2025) – A debit card for spending crypto through Apple Pay and Google Pay.
- Ouroboros Leios Upgrade (2026) – A major network upgrade to handle 10,000 transactions per second (TPS).
- Venture Hub Expansion (2026) – $2 million in ADA funding for startups and real-world asset projects.
Deep Dive
1. Midnight Glacier Drop (November 2025)
What it is: Midnight is a new privacy-focused sidechain on Cardano. It will distribute $NIGHT tokens through an airdrop to eligible users, including those holding Ledger and Trezor wallets. The claim window closes 26 days after launch (Cardanians_io).
Why it matters: This move aims to attract users who prioritize privacy and to connect Cardano with other blockchains like Solana, Bitcoin, and Ethereum. While this could increase ADA’s usefulness, there’s a risk that not enough people will adopt Midnight after the airdrop.
2. Cardano Card Launch (Q4 2025)
What it is: Cardano will introduce a self-custody debit card that lets users spend ADA, Bitcoin (BTC), and stablecoins via Apple Pay and Google Pay. Both virtual and physical cards will be available, with features like staking rewards and borrowing options (Cardanians_io).
Why it matters: This could make using crypto in everyday life easier, encouraging more retail users to adopt Cardano. However, its success depends on strong partnerships and meeting regulatory requirements.
3. Ouroboros Leios Upgrade (2026)
What it is: Ouroboros Leios is a planned upgrade to Cardano’s consensus protocol, designed to increase transaction speed to 10,000 TPS by introducing “express lanes” for faster processing. The upgrade is currently in final testing (U.Today).
Why it matters: This upgrade is crucial for Cardano’s scalability, allowing it to handle more transactions quickly. However, smooth integration is essential, and delays could push back the timeline. Founder Charles Hoskinson has emphasized the urgency of this upgrade as of September 2025.
4. Venture Hub & Real-World Asset (RWA) Expansion (2026)
What it is: The Cardano Foundation plans to invest $10 million into real-world asset projects and allocate 2 million ADA to startups through its Venture Hub. Collaborations with Draper University and Techstars aim to encourage enterprise adoption (Binance News).
Why it matters: This funding supports long-term growth by connecting Cardano with real-world businesses and assets. However, regulatory challenges and market conditions could affect adoption.
Conclusion
Cardano’s roadmap combines important technical upgrades like Ouroboros Leios and Midnight with practical tools such as the Cardano Card and real-world asset initiatives. The community’s approval of $71 million in funding in August 2025 highlights strong decentralized governance. The big question is whether these efforts will help ADA recover from its 47% drop this year or if broader economic challenges will hold it back. Keep an eye on the Q4 product launches and the results of the Leios upgrade for signs of progress.
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What updates are there in the ADA code base?
Cardano’s software updates are focusing on making the network faster, improving governance, and providing better tools for developers.
- Ouroboros Leios Upgrade Moved Up to 2026 – A key scalability improvement is now expected two years earlier than planned.
- $71 Million Funding for Core Protocol (August 2025) – The community approved a large budget to support important network upgrades.
- Account Enhancement CIP (Draft) – A new proposal to allow small fees in native tokens, making it easier to build apps on Cardano.
In-Depth Look
1. Ouroboros Leios Upgrade (2026)
What it is: Cardano’s main protocol, called Ouroboros, is being redesigned to handle more transactions faster without losing its decentralized nature. This upgrade was originally planned for 2028 but has been moved up to 2026.
The update improves how blocks are shared across the network and introduces a new system for transaction fees. Charles Hoskinson, Cardano’s founder, said this change is “competitively necessary” because previous updates were delayed. Node operators will need to adjust to new fee rules and syncing methods.
Why it matters: This is good news for ADA holders because faster and cheaper transactions could attract more decentralized finance (DeFi) projects and real-world applications to Cardano. Users should expect quicker processing and lower costs over time.
(Source)
2. $71 Million Core Protocol Funding (August 2025)
What it is: The Cardano community agreed to allocate 96 million ADA (about $71 million) from its treasury to fund a year’s worth of core network improvements. These include Hydra, a layer-2 scaling solution, and Project Acropolis, which focuses on making nodes more modular and efficient.
Payments to Input Output Global (IOG), the company behind Cardano’s development, will be based on meeting specific milestones. Oversight is provided by Intersect, a community-led group. Goals include reducing memory use for nodes, improving compatibility with other blockchains, and lowering costs for stake pool operators.
Why it matters: This is neutral for ADA’s price in the short term since the funds depend on delivering results. If successful, these upgrades could make Cardano more attractive to developers and improve overall network performance.
(Source)
3. Account Enhancement CIP (Draft)
What it is: This proposed improvement would let smart contracts accept fees paid in any native token on Cardano, not just ADA. It also allows for tiny payments through reward addresses, bypassing the current rule that requires a minimum 1 ADA fee per transaction output.
This change is important for applications like gaming and microtransactions, where very small payments are common. Phillip Disarro, CEO of Anastasia Labs, called it “massive for expanding Cardano’s dApp ecosystem.”
Why it matters: If adopted, this would make it easier and cheaper for developers and users to interact with Cardano apps. However, it still needs community approval and a network upgrade (hard fork) to be implemented.
(Source)
Conclusion
Cardano is focusing on making its network faster, improving how it’s governed, and enhancing the user experience for decentralized apps. These updates support Cardano’s long-term goals but depend on timely delivery. The big question remains: will these improvements help ADA compete better with other leading blockchain platforms?
What could affect the price of ADA?
Cardano’s price is currently balancing between upcoming protocol improvements and broader market challenges.
- Core Protocol Funding – $71 million approved for important upgrades (positive sign)
- ETF Speculation – 75% chance of U.S. approval could bring in institutional investors (uncertain)
- Whale Activity – Large holders bought 348 million ADA but sold 440 million after price dropped below $0.50 (negative sign)
Deep Dive
1. Protocol Upgrades & Governance (Positive Outlook)
Overview:
The Cardano community has approved a $71 million budget over the next year (with 74% support) to fund key upgrades like Ouroboros Leios, which will increase transaction speed, and Hydra, which aims to lower transaction costs. These funds are released only when specific milestones are met, overseen by Intersect, with a target completion in early 2026.
What this means:
If these upgrades are delivered successfully, it could attract more developers and make Cardano more competitive in decentralized finance (DeFi). Past major upgrades, like the Alonzo update, have led to price increases between 30% and 60%. However, delays could frustrate investors and slow momentum (Input Output).
2. ETF Approval Odds & Regulatory Risk (Mixed Outlook)
Overview:
Bloomberg analysts estimate there’s a 75% chance that a U.S. spot ADA ETF will be approved by 2026. This optimism is based on the SEC’s recent approach to treat ADA as a commodity. Grayscale’s ETF application is currently under review, with a key decision expected by October 2025.
What this means:
If approved, an ADA ETF could bring significant new investment, similar to the boost Bitcoin saw after its ETF launches (price increases of 40% to 120%). But if rejected, it could increase negative sentiment. Cardano’s classification as a “mature blockchain” under the Clarity Act helps reduce concerns about it being a security (CoinMarketCap).
3. Whale Activity & Technical Breakdown (Negative Outlook)
Overview:
ADA’s price fell below the $0.50 support level, which it had held since January 2024. This triggered large investors (whales) to buy $204 million worth of ADA but also sell $256 million. The $0.50 level now acts as resistance, and if the price continues to fall, it could drop to $0.40 following a bearish technical pattern.
What this means:
The high level of whale buying (with a Relative Strength Index of 24.9, indicating oversold conditions) suggests the price might bounce back. However, ongoing selling pressure and a 47% drop over the past 90 days show weak momentum in the short term (Coingape).
Conclusion
Cardano’s price outlook depends on how well it can deliver on its upgrades amid a tough crypto market. A successful ETF approval or the launch of Ouroboros Leios could spark a price recovery. But if ADA falls below $0.40, the downtrend may continue. Keep an eye on the SEC’s decision in October and whether ADA can reclaim the $0.50 level—will whale buying be strong enough to overcome broader market fears?
What are people saying about ADA?
The Cardano (ADA) community is divided between optimistic technical signals and concerns about the overall ecosystem. Here’s what’s currently making headlines:
- Price predictions vary – Some expect a short-term rise to $1.03, while others warn of a possible drop.
- Midnight airdrop excitement – Opinions differ on whether this will boost the network’s usefulness.
- Big investor activity – Signs of accumulation clash with fears of selling pressure.
In-Depth Look
1. @johnmorganFL: Targeting a $2.30 breakout 🔼 Bullish
"A breakout from a falling wedge pattern suggests ADA could rally 155% to $2.30 if it holds above $0.89."
– @johnmorganFL (35.1K followers · 4.9M impressions · July 22, 2025)
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What this means: This is a positive sign for ADA. Falling wedge patterns often indicate a strong price reversal. Additionally, growing interest in decentralized finance (DeFi) and increasing open interest ($1.74 billion) support this outlook.
2. @ali_charts: Testing support at $0.47 🔻 Bearish
"Breaking down from the 2025 price channel could push ADA down to $0.47, a key Fibonacci support level."
– @ali_charts (163K followers · 7.7M impressions · June 28, 2025)
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What this means: This is a warning sign. ADA has fallen below its 6-month upward trendline, and the Relative Strength Index (RSI) at 38 indicates ongoing weakness.
3. @Cardanians_io: Midnight partnership boosts confidence 🔼 Bullish
"Franklin Templeton running Cardano nodes and a collaboration with Norway’s Bitcoin DeFi projects show growing institutional support."
– @Cardanians_io (69.9K followers · 28K impressions · June 5, 2025)
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What this means: This is encouraging news. Large asset managers managing $1.6 trillion adopting Cardano’s infrastructure suggests long-term trust, even though the price hasn’t reacted strongly yet.
Summary
The outlook for Cardano is mixed. Technical traders see a chance for a rebound near $0.47, while others are uncertain if new privacy features from Midnight and whale buying can counteract a 15% drop in DeFi total value locked (TVL). Keep an eye on the $0.60 resistance level this week: closing above it could lead to a short-term rally toward $0.75, but failing to break it might mean a deeper correction is coming.
Can ADA’s 53% of circulating supply currently in profit maintain momentum against Bitcoin’s dominance at 58.8%?
What is the latest news about ADA?
Cardano is going through an important week with some key technical changes, moves by big investors, and new developments in institutional support. Here’s a quick summary:
- ADA Drops Below $0.50 Support (November 17, 2025) – This important price level has turned into resistance, leading large holders (whales) to adjust their positions and pushing the price down.
- Institutional Staking Launches in Turkey (November 17, 2025) – Paribu Custody teams up with Everstake to offer ADA staking services for businesses in Turkey.
- Bearish Technical Signals (November 17, 2025) – Price patterns suggest ADA could fall further, possibly down to $0.40.
In-Depth Look
1. ADA Drops Below $0.50 Support (November 17, 2025)
What happened:
ADA’s price slipped below the $0.50 mark for the first time since early 2024. This triggered large holders to move out about 92 million ADA (worth $43 million). Despite this price drop, Cardano’s network health, including liquidity and total value locked (TVL), remains steady. This suggests the sell-off is more about overall market mood than problems with Cardano itself.
What it means:
In the short term, this is a negative sign because $0.50, which used to be support, is now acting as resistance. However, since on-chain data doesn’t show panic selling, long-term investors might be waiting for the price to bounce back. (CoinMarketCap)
2. Institutional Staking Launches in Turkey (November 17, 2025)
What happened:
Everstake and Paribu Custody have started offering ADA staking services tailored for Turkish institutions. This is significant because Turkey’s crypto market is expected to generate $2.6 billion in revenue by 2026. The partnership combines Paribu’s large custody volume (over $150 billion) with Everstake’s reliable infrastructure (99.98% uptime).
What it means:
This development is neutral to positive for ADA. It expands Cardano’s presence among institutional investors in a fast-growing market. However, staking rewards (around 3-5%) might need to increase to make up for concerns about ADA’s price dropping. (CoinMarketCap)
3. Bearish Technical Signals (November 17, 2025)
What happened:
On the 4-hour price chart, ADA broke down from a bearish pennant pattern, pointing to a potential drop to $0.40. The Directional Movement Index shows strong selling pressure (-DI at 33.15 vs. +DI at 9.85). Also, ADA’s price correlation with Bitcoin has weakened to 0.62, indicating risks specific to ADA.
What it means:
This is a bearish sign unless ADA can climb back above $0.50. Historically, when the ADX (Average Directional Index) is above 40 (currently 47.38), price reversals are rare without a major sell-off. Traders will watch for signs of exhaustion, like the daily RSI falling below 20 (currently 34). (Coingape)
Conclusion
Cardano is caught between weakening technical indicators and growing institutional support. The $0.40 price area might attract buyers looking for a bargain, but ADA’s recovery depends on overall market conditions and how well staking services take off in key markets like Turkey. Can increased institutional interest balance out retail investors selling off?
Why did the price of ADA fall?
Cardano (ADA) dropped 2.74% in the last 24 hours, falling more than the overall crypto market, which declined by 1.28%. The main reasons for this drop are:
- Technical Breakdown – ADA fell below a key support level at $0.50, triggering automatic sell-offs.
- Whale Activity – Large holders sold 440 million ADA while buying 348 million ADA, showing mixed strategies.
- Market Fear – High levels of fear in the market increased selling pressure.
Deep Dive
1. Technical Breakdown (Negative Impact)
Overview:
ADA fell below $0.50, a price level that had acted as a strong support multiple times this year. This break confirms a bearish pattern on the 4-hour chart, with the price now possibly heading toward $0.40 (Coingape).
What this means:
- The $0.50 level, which used to support the price, is now acting as resistance, making buyers hesitant.
- Technical indicators like RSI (31.14) and MACD (-0.043) show the coin is oversold but don’t yet suggest a price rebound.
What to watch:
If ADA can climb back above $0.50, it could cancel the bearish trend. If not, the price might drop about 20% to $0.40.
2. Whale Activity & Liquidity Issues (Mixed Impact)
Overview:
Big investors sold 440 million ADA (around $205 million) but also bought 348 million ADA, indicating different strategies at play. At the same time, a dormant wallet lost $6 million in a failed token swap due to low liquidity, showing risks in Cardano’s market (Crypto.news).
What this means:
- Large holders may be taking profits or cutting losses amid the downward trend.
- The failed swap highlights liquidity problems, which can reduce confidence among regular investors.
3. Market Sentiment (Negative Impact)
Overview:
The crypto Fear & Greed Index dropped to “Extreme Fear” (17 out of 100), matching ADA’s 20% weekly price drop. Bitcoin’s dominance increased to 58.84%, meaning more investment is flowing into Bitcoin instead of altcoins like ADA.
What this means:
- Investors are favoring Bitcoin over other cryptocurrencies during uncertain times.
- ADA’s trading volume rose 40% to $1.2 billion in 24 hours, suggesting panic selling rather than buying.
Conclusion
Cardano’s recent price drop is driven by technical factors, mixed signals from large holders, and overall market fear. While the upcoming launch of the Midnight privacy network on December 8 could boost ADA in the future, the current trend favors sellers.
Key point to watch: Can ADA hold above $0.45, the base level from the 2023 bear market, to avoid a deeper price decline?
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