Cardano Next Big Move May Hinge on This Critical Price Level

Despite aggressive shorting pressure pushing Cardano lower, traders increasingly expect ADA to trade sideways before a significant upside. 

Over the past few days, Cardano has remained bearish, with ADA down 6.34% on the week. Although the token briefly climbed to nearly $0.43, it has since slipped below $0.40 and is now consolidating between $0.36 and $0.37.

Key Points

• ADA remains bearish in the short term, down 6.34% over the past week, reflecting sustained selling momentum. 
• $0.3711 serves as a critical consolidation level that could pave the way for massive accumulation and an upside move to $9.62. 
• Macroeconomic risks remain a key threat and could nullify any strong upside move. 
• Large investors continue to increase their exposure, with 210 million ADA accumulated in three weeks. 

Critical Consolidation Level That Could Fuel a Strong Rally 

In a recent commentary, analyst Emilio Bojan criticized persistent bearish positioning against ADA, suggesting that continued shorting of utility-focused projects is misguided. Rather than calling for an immediate breakout, he identified $0.3711 as the key level where he wants ADA to consolidate. 

According to Bojan, this range-bound action could support healthy accumulation and gradually set the stage for expansion. The accompanying chart supports this view, showing ADA stabilizing around the $0.3711 support zone. 

Consequently, Bojan sees the current base-building phase as a precursor to the next major expansion cycle. From this level, he projects potential rallies of 107.28%, 533.74%, 1,213%, and 2,493%, which could lift ADA to approximately $0.76, $2.34, $4.87, and $9.62, respectively.

While Cardano has previously reached the $0.76 and $2.34 targets, moves to $4.87 and $9.62 would set new all-time highs for the token. 

ADA Faces Consistent Bearish Pressure in 2026 

Meanwhile, Cardano has faced intense selling pressure in 2026. After a weak performance in Q4 2025, ADA started the year strongly, surging 30.91% in the first six days as it climbed from $0.3328 to $0.4357. 

However, the rally quickly faded, with ADA posting steady losses and extending its intraday decline streak to 13 days. Over the weekend, renewed U.S. tariff pressure against eight countries intensified the sell-off, dragging ADA down from around $0.39 to $0.36. As a result, macro headwinds sabotaged any gains ADA could have experienced from its recent surge in bullish sentiment.  

Whales Accumulate 210M ADA

Amid the downturn, large investors took advantage of lower prices to increase their exposure to Cardano. Market analyst Ali Martinez reported that whales accumulated 210 million ADA over the past three weeks, boosting their total holdings to 13.66 billion.

Meanwhile, despite Emilio Bojan’s projection of a potential 2,493% upside, market conditions remain volatile due to mounting tariff risks. With the U.S. set to impose a 10% tariff on imports from several European countries starting February 1, analysts warn that possible EU retaliation could heighten volatility and further pressure risk assets.