Cardano Price
adaRank #19
$0.2119
-3.36% · 24h
24h
-3.36%
7d
+21.70%
30d
+28.10%
1y
-74.89%
24h range
$0.2076 — $0.2186
Current price sits 39% of the way up today's range.
Cardano chart
Cardano price history
$0.2108
▲ 5.91% · 7D
Snapshot · last 12 months
| Date | Price |
|---|---|
| Aug 26, 2026 | $0.2108 |
| Jul 28, 2026 | $0.1558 |
| Jun 28, 2026 | $0.1451 |
| May 29, 2026 | $0.2347 |
| Apr 29, 2026 | $0.2468 |
| Mar 30, 2026 | $0.2400 |
| Feb 28, 2026 | $0.2935 |
| Jan 29, 2026 | $0.3711 |
| Dec 30, 2025 | $0.3528 |
| Nov 30, 2025 | $0.4153 |
| Oct 31, 2025 | $0.6009 |
| Oct 1, 2025 | $0.8074 |
| Sep 1, 2025 | $0.8106 |
Cardano is a proof-of-stake layer-1 blockchain known for its research-driven, peer-reviewed development. It matters as a major smart-contract platform emphasising security and formal methods, with ADA used for staking, governance and paying transaction fees.
- — Research-driven proof-of-stake layer-1 blockchain launched in 2017
- — Uses the peer-reviewed Ouroboros consensus and an extended UTXO model
- — ADA is used for fees, staking rewards and on-chain governance
- — Capped maximum supply of 45 billion ADA
What is Cardano?
Cardano is a layer-1 smart-contract blockchain founded in 2017 by Ethereum co-founder Charles Hoskinson and developed by IOG, the Cardano Foundation and Emurgo. It is distinguished by an academic, peer-reviewed approach, with protocol changes grounded in formal research before deployment. ADA is its native token, used to pay fees, stake for network security and participate in on-chain governance. Cardano aims to provide a scalable, secure platform for decentralised applications, with a deliberate, phased roadmap prioritising rigour over speed.
How does Cardano work?
Cardano runs on Ouroboros, a peer-reviewed proof-of-stake consensus protocol. ADA holders delegate to stake pools or run their own to help secure the network and earn staking rewards, without lock-ups that remove liquidity. The chain uses an extended UTXO model, differing from Ethereum's account model, which affects how smart contracts and transactions are structured. ADA has a fixed maximum supply of 45 billion tokens, with issuance and a treasury funding ongoing development and governance through the emerging Voltaire on-chain governance system.
What drives the ADA price?
ADA's price reflects developer activity, adoption of decentralised applications, staking participation and delivery of roadmap milestones such as scaling and governance upgrades. Network growth, partnerships and broader demand for smart-contract platforms act as catalysts. The capped 45 billion supply and staking, which locks up a large share of tokens, influence circulating liquidity. ADA trades far below its 2021 peak near $3, and its price remains sensitive to overall crypto cycles and competition among layer-1 blockchains.
Risks to consider
Cardano's deliberate, research-first pace has drawn criticism for slow delivery and comparatively limited DeFi and application activity versus rivals like Ethereum and Solana. Intense layer-1 competition, reliance on continued developer momentum and execution risk on governance and scaling are key concerns. ADA is volatile and trades well below prior highs, and broader regulatory uncertainty around staking assets adds risk.
Cardano FAQ
Is Cardano a good investment?
Cardano is an established layer-1 with a rigorous development approach, but it faces strong competition and criticism over delivery speed, and ADA is volatile. This is information, not financial advice; weigh adoption trends, execution risk and your own risk tolerance before deciding.
Can you stake ADA?
Yes. ADA holders can delegate to stake pools or operate their own to help secure the network and earn rewards under the Ouroboros proof-of-stake protocol. Delegation does not lock tokens, so ADA remains liquid while staked.
What makes Cardano different from Ethereum?
Cardano emphasises peer-reviewed research, uses the Ouroboros proof-of-stake protocol and an extended UTXO model rather than Ethereum's account model. This design shapes how its smart contracts work and reflects a security-first development philosophy.
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Price data by CoinGecko, last refreshed . Figures are indicative, refresh about every 30 minutes, and may lag exchange rates. Read our methodology and disclaimer. Nothing here is financial advice.