Cardano is preparing for a "historic turning point": ETF is about to become a reality, ADA could reach 10 USD?

The crypto market is entering a phase of reshaping, where the "silent players" may unexpectedly rise to the leading position.

While all eyes are still on Bitcoin and Ethereum with their famous ETFs and massive institutional capital flows, Cardano (ADA) has chosen a quiet but strategic path: building a solid legal framework and developing technologies that can create an unprecedented breakthrough.

From being recognized as a "mature blockchain" within the new legal framework of the United States, to significant upgrades like Midnight and Voltaire, Cardano is quietly preparing for a moment that could turn the entire market's head.

And this is no longer mere fanciful speculation. A real momentum is forming around the idea of a Cardano ETF – if this trend continues, approval could come in the coming months, not years.

With an increasingly open attitude from regulators, lively discussions within the organization, and a series of upgrades being implemented on the chain, Cardano is on the verge of a transformation — from a lesser-known name to a strong contender for the leading position.

So what is driving this story — and does ADA really have what it takes to reach the milestone of 10 USD?

Cardano is recognized as a "mature Blockchain" – And this is a major turning point

Cardano has just achieved a milestone that most other altcoins can only dream of: being recognized for its legality under the new legal framework of the United States.

Hidden within the Clarity Act ( that has just been passed is a key definition: "mature blockchain system."

This standard includes a high degree of decentralization, a transparent governance model, broad token distribution, and maximizes the limitation of control by a single party. If the criteria are sufficiently met, the blockchain will be classified as a commodity — under the jurisdiction of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission )CFTC(, rather than the Securities and Exchange Commission )SEC(.

And guess who is on the list? Bitcoin, Ethereum… and Cardano.

This title places Cardano in the same group as the "big players" in the industry — while creating an important advantage when considering ETFs. Unlike Solana or BNB, which are still burdened by concerns over centralization, Cardano, with its Ouroboros mechanism, decentralized validation system, and on-chain governance ) thanks to the Voltaire phase ( aligns almost perfectly with the new legal framework.

If ADA is officially certified under the Transparency Act, the landscape will change significantly: from DeFi, custody services, payment infrastructure to new financial products — all will be built on Cardano with fewer legal barriers and stricter compliance.

For organizations? This is the green light they have been waiting for.

Discussions about ETFs are heating up — and this time it's not just rumors.

It's time to talk about the moment — because the Cardano ETF is no longer a pipe dream. The possibility of it becoming a reality is becoming increasingly clear.

According to Polymarket, the decentralized prediction platform known for its high accuracy in previous ETF timelines, the likelihood of a spot Cardano ETF being approved in early 2025 currently ranges from 74% to 84%. This is not baseless optimism — it is a strong signal.

![])https://img-cdn.gateio.im/webp-social/moments-81dc2283967c14c78cafedfc25a87991.webp(Source: PolymarketAnd things are even more interesting: the behind-the-scenes is very active. Rumors suggest that at least two major asset management firms are preparing a fund product based on Cardano, and there is even leaked information about the Grayscale Cardano Trust ETF being promoted.

Not only that, Charles Hoskinson — the founder of Cardano — appeared in Washington D.C., reportedly to advise policymakers on blockchain standards. When the very person who built the protocol starts to shape the rules of the game, you know something significant is happening.

If approved, a new wave of capital will flow in: institutional investors, pension funds, and even retail brokerage firms will have direct access to ADA, managed and without technological barriers.

No need for a cold wallet, no need for a private key — just pure capital and liquidity.

And what has history taught us about Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs?

When the organization has a legal "buy button", they will press it.

The Cardano ETF could be a major catalyst — and the $10 mark is no longer a pipe dream.

It's time to talk about the numbers.

Currently, ADA is fluctuating in the range of 0.7–0.9 USD, still in the process of recovering from the general correction of altcoins. But if the Cardano ETF is launched, it could bring ADA a similar effect to what ETFs have done with Bitcoin and Ethereum:

Experts at VanEck and Matrixport are currently setting a price target for ADA ranging from 3 to 10 USD by 2025, depending on the results of the ETF and the macroeconomic context. What was once considered a "delusion" in 2022 is now becoming more realistic than ever.

What is the reason for this leap? Liquidity and accessibility.

The Cardano ETF will open the door for hedge funds, family offices, brokerage firms, and even 401)k( pension funds to easily invest in ADA without having to touch cold wallets, private keys, or complex crypto infrastructure. This is a massive source of capital that was previously stuck due to legal and custodial barriers. When the barriers disappear? The price discovery process could shoot up vertically.

And that's not all — because Cardano has many other catalysts waiting to be activated...

Midnight, Voltaire and the new catalysts are quietly igniting

Even though ETFs have not appeared this year, Cardano still possesses strong internal dynamics to drive growth.

Most prominent? Midnight — a data security sidechain set to launch.

Imagine: an environment that combines privacy and compliance, where developers can build secure dApps while still meeting legal requirements. This is a crucial piece for banks, government agencies, and serious businesses looking for a blockchain that is both flexible and compliant.

Midnight is now available on devnet, with the testnet expected to launch soon. When officially operational, it could pave the way for private DeFi, encrypted assets, and regulation-friendly smart contracts — the missing pieces for Cardano to enter the big game.

Next is Voltaire — the phase of transforming Cardano into a comprehensive on-chain governance ecosystem: decentralized treasury, community voting mechanism, and proposal execution system right on the blockchain. This is a grand ambition, but also one of the most mature governance models in the crypto industry today.

And don't forget the Midnight airdrop has created a cash flow boost into the ADA ecosystem, increasing attention and encouraging the community to engage more deeply.

Each upgrade, each new tool, each influx of capital — all are bringing Cardano closer to a position not just as a competitor, but as a true pillar of the next growth cycle.

ADA could be the "surprise hit" of the next bull run.

So what do all these things mean?

Cardano is not the loudest project, nor is it the name with the fastest explosive growth. This year, it also does not have the sensational headlines like Solana or Ethereum.

But quietly, Cardano has arranged a chain of dominoes: legal recognition, readiness for ETF, infrastructure upgrades, and strong momentum from the development community. And now what? Those dominoes are starting to fall.

If the ETF is approved, Cardano could become the focal point of a new wave of institutional capital, bringing ADA the recognition and status it deserves. But even without the ETF, the solid foundation and upgrades that have been and are being implemented are still sufficient to keep Cardano in a position ready for a major leap forward.

So the question is no longer "Will ADA reach 10 USD?" but rather "Are you ready if that happens?"

Because in the crypto world, the quietest setups often lead to the loudest explosions.

Current status of ADA price

The current price movement of ADA reflects the cautious sentiment of the overall market, as buying power weakens and sellers temporarily take the lead. With key support levels at 0.8 USD and 0.64 USD, ADA is entering a decisive phase to determine the short-term trend: consolidating for recovery or continuing to slide deeper.

After failing to break through the 0.9 USD threshold, the bears are in control, pushing the price of ADA back around 0.8 USD. This is the nearest support area and may open up opportunities for buyers to return to the market, but the strength is not as strong as the strategic support level at 0.64 USD. If it cannot hold above 0.8 USD, ADA risks continuing to adjust further.

![])https://img-cdn.gateio.im/webp-social/moments-39e1cb9fd515861df410cf4cd1b28219.webp(ADA price chart 1 week | Source: TradingViewThe current correction is significant but not unusual. If ADA can hold around 0.8 USD, the optimistic scenario remains: the price could quickly recover and test the resistance level of 0.9 USD. Conversely, if the sellers increase pressure and pull ADA down to 0.64 USD, the recovery will take longer to re-establish an upward trend.

![])https://img-cdn.gateio.im/webp-social/moments-697d79f3668a67be29a651a61dc1a2f4.webp(ADA 3-Day Price Chart | Source: TradingViewThe volume chart shows a significant decline in buying strength, reflecting the market's indifference towards ADA over the past week. The sellers are currently dominating, but if the 0.8 USD level holds, new momentum could emerge, attracting capital back.

![])https://img-cdn.gateio.im/webp-social/moments-90c10bdd13d8d9ef955ba597f109fe7a.webp(ADA Volume Chart | Source: TradingViewAnnie