Behind the scenes, a larger battle is unfolding: super whales are selling, retail holders remain bullish, and short sellers are increasing positions in derivatives markets. With these forces pulling ADA in different directions, one factor could ultimately decide who prevails.
Super Whales Cut ADA Holdings as Network Activity Falls
On-chain data shows Cardano’s largest wallets, holding between 1 billion ADA and higher, have reduced their stakes from 5.43% in late June to 5.02% now. This shift signals a clear bearish stance from major holders. While the decline appears small, even a 0.5% drop is significant when it involves whale holdings.
Adding to this pressure, Cardano’s active addresses are sliding sharply. Monthly data shows addresses down more than 40% since peaking at 42,000 on July 18. This decline aligns with ADA’s price movement, as the peak preceded the local high of $0.92.
The sharp fall in active addresses may explain the cooling interest from super whales. As network activity weakens, their reduced participation amplifies downward pressure on ADA.
Retail Holds Firm as Short Sellers Gain Ground
Retail traders remain confident despite whales reducing their ADA stakes. Netflows from exchanges have stayed negative for months, meaning more ADA is being withdrawn than deposited. This trend usually signals accumulation rather than selling, reflecting strong retail conviction.
At the same time, derivatives traders are aligning with whales. Bitget’s 30-day liquidation map shows $141.7 million in short positions compared to $74 million in longs, highlighting a clear bearish bias. This growing short interest indicates that leverage traders expect ADA’s price to fall further.
As a result, ADA faces a three-way standoff: whales are trimming holdings, retail investors are accumulating, and leverage traders are betting against the token. If whale selling persists, shorts could dominate, pushing ADA lower and triggering more liquidations. However, a sharp short squeeze fueled by retail sentiment could reverse this pressure and drive prices higher.
Cardano Forms Falling Wedge Pattern with 46% Upside Potential
Cardano’s price chart ADA/USDT shows a falling wedge pattern, a bullish technical formation where price consolidates downward between two converging trendlines before typically breaking upward. ADA currently trades at $0.7123, with the wedge suggesting a potential breakout that could push the price up by 46%, targeting approximately $1.04.
The falling wedge formed after ADA’s recent decline from its local high near $0.92, reflecting reduced selling momentum and tighter price ranges. This structure often signals that sellers are weakening, allowing buyers to regain control. The pattern aligns with ADA’s 50-period Exponential Moving Average (EMA), which is now acting as a resistance line near $0.77.
If ADA confirms a breakout above the upper trendline, the price could accelerate toward the $1.04 mark, matching the projected upside from this formation. This move would also coincide with a return above its EMA, reinforcing bullish momentum. However, ADA needs strong trading volume to confirm the breakout and sustain upward pressure. A successful breakout would reverse recent losses and shift sentiment toward renewed bullish strength.
Cardano MACD Signals Ongoing Bearish Momentum
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) indicator for Cardano shows sustained bearish momentum. The MACD line, which is the blue line, remains below the signal line, which is the orange line, indicating continued downward pressure. Additionally, the histogram bars are negative, reflecting persistent selling activity.
This setup highlights that sellers are currently in control, as the widening gap between the MACD and the signal line reinforces the bearish trend. The histogram has also extended into deeper negative territory, which typically signals growing downward strength in price action.
For ADA to shift toward a bullish reversal, the MACD line would need to cross above the signal line while the histogram transitions back to positive territory. Until this occurs, momentum indicators suggest that bearish sentiment remains dominant, even as ADA trades within a falling wedge pattern that may soon face a breakout test.