Smart money wallets are quietly building positions in Cardano, even as the token struggles to break out on the price chart.
New on-chain data suggests a growing disconnect between large holders and smaller retail participants, adding an interesting layer to ADA’s current consolidation phase.
- Large Cardano wallets added over 454 million ADA in two months despite muted price action.
- Retail holders continue to reduce exposure as ADA trades below key resistance.
- The $0.33 level is critical support, while a breakout could target $0.50.
- Losing support may expose ADA to a deeper move toward the $0.27 zone.
Whales accumulate while price stays capped
According to data shared by Santiment, wallets holding between 100,000 and 100 million ADA have added roughly 454.7 million tokens over the past two months. At current prices, that accumulation is worth more than $160 million.
This steady buying has taken place while ADA’s market price has remained under pressure, a pattern often associated with longer-term positioning rather than short-term speculation.
At the same time, smaller holders appear to be moving in the opposite direction. Over the past three weeks, wallets with 100 ADA or less have sold around 22,000 tokens, indicating ongoing retail caution as price action remains choppy.
ADA price holds key support near $0.33
From a technical perspective, Cardano’s native token has recently bounced from the $0.33 area, which traders view as an important near-term support zone. The rebound suggests buyers are still defending this level, but momentum remains fragile.
For the bullish scenario to strengthen, ADA needs to break above the descending trendline that has capped rallies in recent months. A confirmed move higher could open the door for a push toward the $0.50 region, a level that previously acted as a major pivot.
Downside risks remain if support fails
Failure to hold above $0.33 would likely shift sentiment quickly. In that case, technical charts point to a potential slide toward the lower boundary of the broader price channel, with support near the $0.27 area, which marked a key low in 2025.
Momentum indicators reflect this uncertainty. RSI remains below neutral levels, while MACD signals show limited bullish follow-through, reinforcing the idea that ADA is still in a waiting phase.
What the divergence may signal
The contrast between whale accumulation and retail selling often appears during late-stage consolidations. Large holders tend to accumulate quietly when prices are weak, while smaller investors lose patience. However, this pattern does not guarantee an immediate breakout and can persist for weeks or even months.
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Alex is an experienced financial journalist and cryptocurrency enthusiast. With over 8 years of experience covering the crypto, blockchain, and fintech industries, he is well-versed in the complex and ever-evolving world of digital assets. His insightful and thought-provoking articles provide readers with a clear picture of the latest developments and trends in the market. His approach allows him to break down complex ideas into accessible and in-depth content. Follow his publications to stay up to date with the most important trends and topics.
Source: https://coindoo.com/market/cardano-whales-accumulate-160m-in-ada-while-retail-continues-to-exit/