Cardano
Price
Today
TL;DR: Cardano (ADA) — research-driven chain — is trading at $0.2071 (+0.49% in 24h) with a market cap of $7.8B (rank #18). Cardano (ADA) is a proof-of-stake blockchain launched in 2017 by Ethereum co-founder Charles Hoskinson. Built on peer-reviewed research, ADA secures the network via staking and powers DeFi, identity and governance.
Source: CoinGecko · Updated every 60s
- Asset
- Cardano (ADA)
- Live price
- $0.2071 (+0.49% 24h)
- Market cap
- $7.8B · Rank #18
- Network
- Cardano (Ouroboros PoS)
- Launched
- September 2017
- Founder
- Charles Hoskinson
- Supply
- 45B ADA max · ~36B circulating
- ATH
- $3.09 (Sep 1, 2021)
Last updated October 26, 2026 · Data: CoinGecko via CoinCoverage · For reference only, not financial advice.
How much is ADA worth in dollars?
Live conversion at $0.2071. For custom amounts use our crypto calculator.
| ADA | USD |
|---|---|
| 1 ADA | $0.21 |
| 5 ADA | $1.04 |
| 10 ADA | $2.07 |
| 50 ADA | $10.35 |
| 100 ADA | $20.71 |
Cardano's price journey
Cardano (ADA) is a proof-of-stake blockchain launched in 2017 by Ethereum co-founder Charles Hoskinson. Built on peer-reviewed research, ADA secures the network via staking and powers DeFi, identity and governance.
| Date | Price | Event |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | $0.02 | Launch |
| Jan 2018 | $1.33 | First bubble |
| Mar 2020 | $0.02 | COVID low |
| Sep 2021 | $3.10 | Smart contract ATH |
| Jun 2023 | $0.22 | SEC security label dip |
| Mar 2024 | $0.80 | Bull rebound |
| Dec 2024 | $1.30 | Post-election rally |
| Apr 2025 | $0.55 | Correction |
| May 2026 | $0.22 | Mid-2026 level |
| Sep 2026 | Live | See live price above |
Sources: CoinGecko, exchange history. Prices approximate.
Four forces that move Cardano price
Upgrades & Governance
Alonzo (smart contracts), Vasil, Hydra scaling and on-chain governance milestones each repriced ADA. The roadmap's slow-but-formal pace means upgrade delivery — or delay — is the core price event.
Staking Lock-up
~60% of ADA is staked at ~3–4% yield with no lock-up. High staked share cushions sell-offs but unstaking waves after rallies add supply.
SEC Overhang
The SEC labeled ADA a security in 2023 suits, pressuring US listings. Any clarity or dismissal headlines rally ADA; new enforcement talk sinks it.
DeFi Catch-up
Cardano DeFi (MinSwap, Indigo) lags Ethereum/Solana in TVL. Rising TVL and stablecoin issuance signal real usage — stagnation revives 'ghost chain' critiques.
Cardano Price — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cardano price today?
Cardano (ADA) price today is shown live above, updated every 60 seconds from CoinGecko with 24h change, high/low, market cap and 7-day chart.
What is Cardano's all-time high?
ADA's all-time high is $3.10, set in September 2021 when smart contracts launched. It has not yet reclaimed that peak.
What is Cardano used for?
ADA pays fees, stakes for rewards/votes, and secures DeFi, NFT, identity (Atala PRISM) and governance apps on Cardano.
Why is Cardano controversial?
Fans praise peer-reviewed rigor; critics call development too slow with thin DeFi usage vs Solana/Ethereum. Both sides watch TVL and upgrade delivery for proof.
Does ADA have staking?
Yes — ~3–4% yield with no lock-up, delegatable from any wallet. One of crypto's most accessible staking systems.
Is ADA a security?
The SEC alleged so in 2023 exchange suits; Cardano disputes it. No final court ruling specific to ADA exists — regulatory headlines still move the price.
Will Cardano reach $5?
That would top its ATH by ~60% and need major DeFi growth plus regulatory clarity. Possible in a strong altseason, but requires real usage gains.
How is ADA different from ETH?
Both are PoS smart contract platforms; Cardano uses eUTXO + Haskell with formal methods, Ethereum uses accounts + Solidity with a larger ecosystem. ETH leads in apps; ADA leads in staking participation.
What is Hydra?
Hydra is Cardano's layer-2 scaling system aiming for 1M+ TPS via 'heads.' Mainnet progress reports are key ADA catalysts.
Where to buy Cardano?
ADA trades on Coinbase, Binance, Kraken and most majors, plus Cardano DEXs like MinSwap.