Cardano has been quiet for months, but some analysts believe that calm could be setting the stage for a much bigger move in 2026.
Crypto analyst LaPetite shared why she remains bullish on ADA as she pointed to a mix of regulatory clarity, institutional progress, and upcoming network upgrades. Price action has definitely lagged behind other large caps in 2024 and 2025, but the broader setup tells a more interesting story.
What you'll learn 👉
What the ADA Chart Is Showing Right Now
We had a look at the ADA chart and the Cardano price is trading near the $0.39–$0.40 zone. This area has acted as a key support several times over the past year. Each dip into this range has attracted buyers, which indicates strong demand below $0.40.
Below that, the next major support sits around $0.35. This level marks the lows from late 2024 and early 2026. A clean break below it would weaken the bullish structure, but so far, sellers have failed to push ADA meaningfully lower.
On the upside, resistance is clearly defined. The first major barrier sits near $0.50, which has capped multiple relief rallies. Above that, the $0.65–$0.70 region lines up closely with the 200-day moving average. That moving average has acted as a ceiling for most of the past year, and reclaiming it would be a major technical shift.
For Cardano to signal a true trend reversal, it likely needs a sustained move above the 200-day MA, followed by higher lows on pullbacks.
Why Some Analysts Stay Bullish
LaPetite’s optimism isn’t based on charts. She highlights several fundamental developments that could matter in 2026.
Regulatory clarity remains a key factor. The Clarity Act is still moving forward, and any improvement in U.S. regulatory treatment could benefit large, established networks like Cardano.
I'm still bullish on $ADA because:
— LaPetite🦋🍄 (@LaPetiteADA) January 13, 2026
– Clarity Act is still happening.
– Google Cloud launched a Cardano Stake Pool.
– ProShares ETF includes $ADA.
– Midnight is huge for institutional adoption.
– Bitcoin DeFi on Cardano happens this year.
– Leios & Hydra will make Cardano the… pic.twitter.com/ai2SjhKKa2
Institutional signals are also growing. Google Cloud launching a Cardano stake pool and ADA’s inclusion in a ProShares ETF both point to rising institutional comfort with the network.
On the technology side, Midnight, Bitcoin DeFi on Cardano, and upcoming upgrades like Leios and Hydra aim to improve privacy, scalability, and transaction speed. If delivered as planned, these could materially change how Cardano is perceived.
Read also: ADA Price to $10? Why Cardano’s Multi-Year Base Could Be the Trigger
ADA Price Outlook for 2026
From a price perspective, ADA doesn’t need extreme assumptions to improve. If Cardano reclaims the $0.70–$0.75 zone and holds above the 200-day MA, the path toward $1 becomes realistic during a strong market cycle.
In a broader bull market, a move into the $1.20–$1.50 range in 2026 would align with prior cycle behavior rather than represent anything extraordinary. That would still be well below Cardano’s all-time highs, leaving room for upside without requiring unrealistic hype.
Overall, Cardano remains a patience trade. The chart shows solid long-term support but clear resistance overhead. Analysts like LaPetite are betting that fundamentals catch up to price in 2026.
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