Cardano (ADA) is gearing up for a new price increase. On forums and social media, rumors are circulating that ADA could break through to 10 USD in this cycle. It may sound crazy – a dreamy prediction that could lead to disappointment? Perhaps not. Because when analyzing the numbers more closely, the technological upgrades along with political factors surrounding it, this scenario seems no longer a whimsical dream but a reasonable arrangement.
From 3 USD in the previous cycle to an expectation of 10 USD – Why is this time different?
In the 2021 bull cycle, ADA once reached a peak of 3.1 USD – an impressive number considering the context at that time, when Cardano did not yet have operational smart contracts, did not have a vibrant DeFi market, did not have an NFT ecosystem, and was not supported by institutional capital. The strong momentum back then primarily stemmed from market belief and hype. However, despite the clear limitations, ADA still held strong in the top 3 largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.
Today, the landscape has completely changed. Cardano has entered a more mature phase with clear technological advancements: Plutus smart contracts are operational, becoming the platform for a multitude of practical applications; Hydra opens up faster transaction processing capabilities and lower costs; Mithril improves synchronization speed, enhancing user experience; Midnight offers superior security and privacy layers, while also launching an airdrop that has the community excited. Not stopping there, the ecosystem is also beginning to integrate projects related to artificial intelligence and real-world asset tokenization (RWA), adding depth to the network's value.
If ADA once reached 3 USD in a context where speculation was the only driving force, then with real utility now proven and institutional capital waiting in the wings, the prospect of tripling to reach 10 USD is no longer far-fetched. Especially in a cryptocurrency market known for its 'irrational' yet surprising explosions.
Recognized at the national level – Cardano on the list of 'excellent' blockchains
One of the important yet often underestimated factors comes from politics and the regulatory framework. In the Stablecoin Payment Transparency Act, passed under the Trump administration, only three blockchains are clearly listed as 'mature blockchains': Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Cardano. No Solana, no Avalanche, no XRP. ADA's inclusion in this limited list is akin to receiving a 'seal of approval' from the U.S. legislature. This national recognition has helped Cardano become an easily accepted name in the eyes of financial institutions, ETF funds, and even the most cautious policymakers.
From here, the path for Cardano is incredibly broad: the potential for ADA ETF approval in the near future; the opportunity to attract capital flows from pension funds, hedge funds, and individual investors who usually shy away from risky assets; and above all, reinforcing the belief that ADA is a long-term, sustainable platform, not just a 'temporary craze' of the cryptocurrency market.
Cardano ETF – A catalyst that could change the landscape
The emergence of Bitcoin ETF and later Ethereum spot ETFs has completely changed the landscape of the cryptocurrency market. In just the first few weeks, billions of USD in institutional capital poured in, contributing to pushing the market caps of the two leading cryptocurrencies to new record levels. Now, many analysts believe Cardano is rising as the next potential candidate, thanks to its transparent legal foundation and recognition at the U.S. legislative level.
If an ETF based on Cardano is approved, the effects will far exceed the scope of a 'small boost'. It could be a game-changing catalyst for the entire ADA ecosystem. A new wave of liquidity could push the price back to the 3 USD mark – which was previously established in the last cycle – and from there open the path towards the 10 USD target.
Unlike short-term speculators, the capital from pension funds, hedge funds, and cautious institutional investors usually stays out of the crypto market, but with ETFs, they can participate more easily and safely. This makes the above scenario not just a distant prospect but entirely feasible in the upcoming bull cycle.
Since its launch in early 2024, Bitcoin spot ETFs have become the focal point of traditional financial markets, attracting capital flows of up to 52.3 billion USD. Just in 2025, as of the end of July, this figure has reached about 19 billion USD – a testament to Bitcoin's enduring appeal. Notably, BlackRock's ETF recorded up to 1.3 billion USD in just two days, showing huge demand from institutions.
Not to be outdone, the Ethereum spot ETF also quickly exploded. In just the early stages, it attracted 2.2 billion USD, and by July 2025, the capital inflow into ETH ETF reached 5.41 billion USD in just one month – surpassing the total of all previous months. Notably, during the week of July 18-28, the capital inflow into ETH ETF reached 2.31 billion USD, accounting for 25% of all capital since its launch. Another impressive milestone was on August 11, 2025, when ETH ETF funds received up to 1.019 billion USD in just one day. To date, total accumulated capital has reached 28.15 billion USD, with BlackRock almost holding an absolute advantage.
Based on this picture, it can be seen that a Cardano spot ETF, if approved, has every basis to become a destination for massive capital flows. Cardano is now recognized by U.S. law as a 'mature blockchain' – an important legal factor that helps attract large funds.
In addition, ADA's technology ecosystem is also ready with significant improvements such as Hydra (scalability solution), Plutus (smart contract language), Midnight (a privacy-focused sidechain). The loyal community remains steadfast through the bear market, while interest from pension funds, hedge funds, and crypto ETFs is on the rise, all creating a solid foundation for ADA's breakout.
If the Cardano ETF gains similar traction as the ETH ETF, inflows of several billion USD in the first month are entirely feasible. In a more optimistic scenario, accumulated capital from several billion to tens of billions in the following years is no longer a dream but could become a catalyst propelling ADA quickly towards new value milestones – including the 10 USD target.
Technology and Midnight Airdrop – The internal catalysts
Throughout the bear market phase, when many projects stagnated or were even forgotten, Cardano quietly but persistently developed. The ecosystem has continuously been upgraded: Hydra expands processing capabilities with high speed and low cost; Mithril improves synchronization speed, making for a smoother user experience; Plutus – the smart contract language – is constantly being optimized to attract more developers; and notably, Midnight – a sidechain focused on data security and privacy – is becoming an important piece in a context where the global community is increasingly concerned about information safety.
A major highlight right now is the Midnight airdrop, an event that has the Cardano community more excited than ever. History shows that notable airdrops like those of Arbitrum or Optimism create a strong price increase effect on the main token, and Cardano can certainly replicate this scenario.
When combined with the recovering DeFi trend and the explosion of RWA, Cardano is gradually asserting itself as a comprehensive and mature ecosystem, far exceeding the image of 'a blockchain still unfinished on paper' as many previously doubted.
Community strength – Cardano's secret weapon
In the crypto market, price volatility is not only determined by technology or regulatory frameworks but also heavily depends on human factors – specifically, the strength of the community. In this aspect, Cardano possesses one of the most loyal and resilient communities in the entire blockchain industry.
In the 2021 bull cycle, ADA's parabolic rise was largely driven not by institutional capital but by retail investors and enthusiastic supporters. As the market entered a prolonged and harsh bear phase, this community did not abandon ship but continued to build, develop, and steadfastly hold.
It is this resilience and unwavering belief that has become a solid foundation, enabling ADA to potentially explode strongly once the market enters a new growth cycle. This is not just a short-term supporting factor but also a long-term driving force helping Cardano maintain its special position in the global cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Altcoin Season – Does history repeat itself?
In every cryptocurrency market cycle, a familiar rhythm always repeats: Bitcoin often takes the lead with a strong surge, then gradually moves sideways. Following that, liquidity shifts to Ethereum, and finally, the entire market enters Altcoin season, where small and mid-cap names unexpectedly become the focus.
Currently, those familiar signals are gradually re-emerging. Meme coins are heating up continuously, attracting the attention of retail investors. Ethereum has broken out, indicating that the capital rotation phase is beginning. At the same time, many mid-cap and small-cap altcoins are also seeing significant recovery.
In this context, Cardano seems to be at the right 'drop point' for a significant turnaround. Although it hasn't truly exploded in this cycle, ADA possesses a strong technological foundation, a persistent community, and recognition from regulatory authorities – a perfect formula to become the brightest 'star' in the upcoming Altcoin season.
So can ADA reach 10 USD? Perhaps the better question is: why not?
The 3 USD mark was once reached in the past, proving the potential.
If the Cardano ETF launches, it will open the door for massive institutional capital.
ADA has been officially recognized in U.S. law, a rare advantage for an altcoin.
Breakthrough technology upgrades such as Hydra, Mithril, Plutus, and Midnight are strengthening a robust infrastructure.
And notably, the loyal Cardano community has stood firm throughout many years of the bear market.
All are converging for ADA to make a strong breakthrough. If the Altcoin season reaches its peak, Cardano could accelerate much faster than expected. The rocket is ready on the launch pad – the only question: are you ready to fly with ADA?
