Cardano is trading near key support levels after whales sold more than $500 million worth of ADA, but technical patterns still suggest a potential rally toward $1.25.
Key Takeaways
- Whales sold 560 million ADA worth $500 million in just four days, adding strong bearish pressure on the token.
- Despite the sell-off, Cardano has held above $0.88 support, showing resilience from retail buyers.
- Ascending triangle pattern suggests a breakout above $0.95 could trigger a rally toward $1.20 to $1.25.
- ADA must maintain support at $0.880 to avoid a slide to $0.837.
What Happened?
Cardano’s price action has been caught between whale-driven selling and growing optimism from technical indicators. In the past week, large holders offloaded more than 560 million ADA tokens, worth around $500 million, creating intense bearish pressure. Yet, ADA continues to trade above crucial support levels near $0.88, keeping hopes for a rebound alive.
Cardano $ADA is pressing against key resistance, forming an ascending triangle on the daily chart.
— TapTools (@TapTools) September 21, 2025
A breakout above $0.95 could open the path toward $1.20. pic.twitter.com/ZhRCPSr9lG
Whales Add Selling Pressure
Addresses holding between 1 million and 10 million ADA have been the main drivers of this selling wave. Data shows that in just four days, these whales sold over 560 million ADA, reflecting impatience among big investors who appear unwilling to wait for a slow climb toward $1.
This activity mirrors a broader trend of muted on-chain participation. Active addresses remain low, which means fewer traders are engaging with the Cardano network. Low participation typically limits price growth since capital inflows slow down and rallies struggle to sustain momentum.
Retail Buyers Show Strength
Despite heavy selling from whales, ADA has managed to stay above its $0.80 to $0.90 support range. Analysts suggest this resilience points to retail investors stepping in to absorb the pressure, preventing a deeper breakdown.
This behavior is consistent with Cardano’s history. The token has often lagged behind peers during broader market rallies but later staged sharp comebacks. In past cycles, ADA has delivered 200 to 300 percent gains within a month once momentum shifted in its favor.
Technical Outlook: Can ADA Break $1?
Chart analysis highlights a textbook ascending triangle pattern forming on the daily timeframe. Higher lows are converging below resistance at $0.95, signaling increasing buying pressure. A breakout above this resistance could pave the way for ADA to climb toward $1.20 to $1.25, with the $0.99 neckline acting as a key trigger point.
Indicators support this bullish outlook. ADA trades below the upper Bollinger Band, leaving room for upside, while the Supertrend indicator has already flipped bullish. At the same time, the RSI has risen from oversold levels, showing improving momentum.
However, risks remain. If ADA loses its $0.880 support, analysts warn the token could drop to $0.837, a level that might spark additional selling pressure and delay any chance of reclaiming $1.
CoinLaw’s Takeaway
I find this setup fascinating because it highlights the constant tug-of-war between whales and retail buyers. In my experience, whenever I see whales dumping tokens but the price holds firm, it usually means smaller investors are quietly accumulating. That is often the fuel for the next leg up. Cardano has a history of slow climbs followed by sudden bursts, and the current ascending triangle is a bullish sign. If ADA can clear $0.95 convincingly, I would not be surprised to see it test $1.20 or even $1.25 sooner than skeptics expect.
