ADA is bouncing around again, and traders are bracing for something big. With shrinking open interest and a tightening technical pattern, Cardano could be on the verge of a breakout — or a breakdown.
Cardano’s had a rough day. The token slid by 4.68%, now hovering near $0.7325. In the last week alone, it’s whipsawed between $0.69 and $0.77 — not exactly a calm sea. But the real kicker? Open interest has cratered since January, nearly halving to just under $800 million. That’s got a lot of eyes watching.
A warning sign is blinking on the charts too. Bollinger Bands — those trusty volatility flags — are squeezing tighter, signaling something’s about to give.
Let’s break down what’s happening, and more importantly, where ADA might be headed next.
Open Interest Drops as Bulls Lose Grip
Open interest — basically the total number of open futures contracts — has taken a nosedive. Back in January, it was sitting close to $1.5 billion. Now? It’s barely clinging to $800 million.
That kind of drop doesn’t usually scream confidence.
It often suggests traders are pulling back, maybe taking profits or cutting losses. And the timing isn’t helping — long position liquidations have topped $2.83 million. Ouch.
In one sentence: Bears are clearly having a moment.
If this cooling continues, it could open the door to more downside pressure in the near term.
ADA Price Tightens as Traders Brace for a Big Move
Ali Martinez, a well-followed crypto analyst, flagged something pretty important this week. On the 12-hour chart, Bollinger Bands — which track volatility — are tightening like a spring.
What’s that mean?
Historically, when these bands get this close, prices don’t stay quiet for long. A big move usually follows.
The million-dollar question is, will ADA go up or down?
Right now, the range is pretty tight — that $0.69 to $0.77 swing zone. If ADA breaks below $0.69, we could see a quick tumble toward $0.65. But if bulls take back control and push it above $0.77, $0.82 might be the next stop.
Either way, buckle up.
Liquidations Piling Up — Mostly on the Long Side
There’s another telling sign things aren’t going smoothly: liquidation data.
In the last few days, over $2.8 million worth of long positions got wiped out. That’s a lot of folks betting on upside — and losing.
Some traders were clearly caught off guard.
Here’s what that tells us:
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Bullish sentiment might have been overdone
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Bears are starting to lean in harder
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Lower support levels could be tested soon
The more liquidations we see on one side, the more likely the market may flip the other way — but that hasn’t happened yet.
Institutional Moves Could Shake Things Up
While most eyes are locked on charts and candles, something else is brewing in the background.
Nubank — one of Brazil’s biggest digital banks — and Interactive Brokers have both expanded support for Cardano. That might not sound sexy, but it’s a big deal for access and liquidity.
More platforms mean more volume. And more volume can help price stability — or boost rallies.
Still, let’s keep things grounded. These kinds of expansions don’t usually move price overnight. But they can help build a stronger base — and that matters long term.
Here’s how ADA compares with other major tokens on institutional accessibility:
Asset | Available on Nubank | Available on Interactive Brokers | Price Support Trend |
---|---|---|---|
Bitcoin | Yes | Yes | Strong |
Ethereum | Yes | Yes | Strong |
Cardano | Yes | Yes | Improving |
Solana | No | Yes | Moderate |
XRP | No | No | Weak |
So yes, it’s a positive development. Just don’t expect fireworks from it this week.
Technical Levels to Watch Right Now
If you’re trying to make sense of ADA’s short-term fate, you’re not alone. Let’s keep it simple — here’s what to watch.
Support at $0.69 is critical. That’s the recent floor. If ADA drops below that, the next level could be around $0.65.
On the flip side, a breakout above $0.77 would be bullish — no two ways about it. That would flip momentum back in the bulls’ favor.
Here’s the problem: ADA’s been stuck in this zone for a while.
There’s a lot of indecision in the air.
ADA’s RSI (Relative Strength Index) is also sitting in the mid-50s — not overbought, not oversold. It’s neutral territory, and that just adds to the wait-and-watch mood.
But neutral can be dangerous.
Because it doesn’t take much for sentiment to flip hard in either direction.