About Cardano
Cardano is a proof-of-stake blockchain developed with a research-first approach. ADA is used for fees, staking and governance.
What moves the Cardano price
- Ecosystem development and DeFi activity.
- Staking participation.
- Network upgrades and governance changes.
- Broader crypto market direction.
A research-driven approach
Cardano was founded by Ethereum co-founder Charles Hoskinson and is developed with a strong emphasis on peer-reviewed research and formal methods. It uses a UTXO-based accounting model, similar to Bitcoin but extended for smart contracts, and staking that does not lock coins, so holders can delegate ADA to stake pools while keeping it liquid.
Adoption and governance
Critics point to slower growth in decentralised-finance activity and developers compared with Ethereum and Solana, while supporters highlight reliability and decentralised governance. Recent upgrades put treasury and protocol decisions in the hands of ADA holders and elected representatives. Price drivers include ecosystem activity, governance decisions, staking participation and general crypto sentiment.
Key facts
| Mainnet launch | 2017 |
|---|---|
| Consensus | Ouroboros Proof of Stake |
| Maximum supply | 45 billion ADA |
| Smart contracts | Since the Alonzo upgrade, September 2021 |
| Governance | On-chain governance introduced in 2024 upgrades |
Crypto trades 24/7 on many exchanges, so prices vary slightly between venues.
Cardano FAQ
What moves the price of Cardano?
Ecosystem development and DeFi activity. Staking participation. Network upgrades and governance changes. Broader crypto market direction.
Does Cardano trade 24/7?
Yes. Cardano trades around the clock on many exchanges worldwide, so prices differ slightly between venues and liquidity is usually thinner at weekends.
Where does the Cardano data on this page come from?
The chart and technical gauge use the BINANCE:ADAUSDT pair via TradingView; market cap, supply and 24-hour data come from CoinGecko and refresh about every 15 minutes.
What is the maximum supply of ADA?
45 billion ADA. New ADA is released gradually from reserves as staking rewards.
Do you have to lock ADA to stake it?
No. Delegated ADA remains in the holder's wallet and can be moved at any time.