Cardano Whales and Sharks Accumulate ADA Amid 71% Price Decline

In a fascinating development for cryptocurrency traders, Cardano's major investors, often referred to as whales and sharks, have been steadily building their positions over the past six months. According to data from Santiment, wallets holding between 100,000 and 100 million ADA have accumulated an impressive 819.4 million additional ADA tokens, valued at approximately $213.9 million. This accumulation represents a 1.6% increase in the total supply controlled by these large holders, even as the ADA price has plummeted over 71% from $0.90 to $0.26. This on-chain activity, tracked as of February 24, 2026, suggests a potential bullish undercurrent in the Cardano market, where savvy traders might spot contrarian opportunities amid widespread pessimism.

From a trading perspective, this whale accumulation is a critical on-chain metric that often precedes price recoveries in cryptocurrencies like ADA. Historical patterns show that when large holders increase their stakes during bearish phases, it can signal confidence in future upside. For instance, the price drop from $0.90 in late 2025 to $0.26 by early 2026 reflects broader market pressures, possibly influenced by regulatory uncertainties and macroeconomic factors affecting the crypto space. Traders should monitor key support levels around $0.25, where ADA has shown historical resilience. If accumulation continues, resistance at $0.35 could be tested in the coming weeks, offering short-term trading setups for those using technical indicators like RSI or MACD to confirm momentum shifts. On-chain data further reveals that trading volumes in ADA/USDT pairs have fluctuated, with spikes correlating to these accumulation phases, providing entry points for swing traders aiming to capitalize on volatility.

Analyzing On-Chain Metrics and Trading Strategies for ADA

Diving deeper into the metrics, the addition of 819.4 million ADA by these whale and shark wallets highlights a strategic bet on Cardano's ecosystem growth, including upcoming upgrades like smart contract enhancements. This accumulation trend, spanning from August 2025 to February 2026, contrasts sharply with retail selling pressure, as evidenced by declining small-holder balances. For crypto traders, this disparity creates intriguing opportunities: consider dollar-cost averaging into ADA at current lows, with stop-losses below $0.22 to manage downside risk. Market indicators such as the fear and greed index for Cardano have hovered in extreme fear territory, amplifying the potential for a rebound if whale buying persists. Pair this with cross-market analysis—ADA's correlation with Bitcoin (BTC) stands at around 0.85, meaning BTC rallies could lift ADA prices, presenting leveraged trading plays on exchanges supporting ADA/BTC pairs.

Beyond immediate price action, institutional flows into Cardano could influence broader crypto sentiment, especially with AI-driven analytics tools now tracking whale movements in real-time. Traders focused on long-term positions might look at staking rewards, currently yielding over 4% annually for ADA holders, as a hedge against volatility. However, risks remain, including potential liquidations if prices dip further below key support. To optimize trading strategies, incorporate volume-weighted average price (VWAP) analysis for entries around $0.26, timed with on-chain spikes. This whale activity underscores a classic 'buy the dip' scenario, where patient investors accumulate during downturns, potentially leading to explosive gains when market sentiment flips. As of the latest data on February 24, 2026, these patterns encourage vigilant monitoring of Cardano's network metrics for confirmed bullish signals.

In summary, while ADA's 71% price fall paints a bearish picture, the quiet accumulation by whales and sharks offers a counter-narrative for astute traders. By focusing on on-chain data, support and resistance levels, and correlations with major assets like ETH and BTC, market participants can navigate this landscape effectively. Whether scalping short-term bounces or building long-term portfolios, the key lies in data-driven decisions, avoiding emotional trades amid crypto volatility. This development not only boosts Cardano's SEO visibility in search terms like 'ADA whale accumulation' but also positions it for potential featured snippets on trading opportunities in declining markets.