Cardano Whale Activity Surges 137% in 24 Hours, Potential Price Breakout Ahead

Cardano ($ADA) has seen a significant increase in whale activity, with over 137 transactions exceeding $1 million each recorded in the last 24 hours. This surge in large transactions has sparked speculation about a potential price breakout, challenging the current narrative of market consolidation. Whale activity is often seen as a key indicator of market sentiment, with historical data showing that large holders influence a significant portion of crypto market volatility. A study from the Journal of Risk and Financial Management in 2019 found that large holders influence 60-70% of crypto market volatility. The current surge in whale activity, backed by on-chain analytics from platforms like Santiment, suggests that $ADA could be on the verge of a bullish rally. Santiment tracked 80 million ADA accumulation in 48 hours in May 2025, aligning with the upward trajectory seen in recent charts.

The role of Cardano’s founder, Charles Hoskinson, and his company IOHK, adds an intriguing layer to this development. Hoskinson, known for co-founding Ethereum and steering Cardano away from venture capital to preserve its decentralized ethos, has a significant influence on the network. Speculation about insider accumulation has been fueled by comments on X, though no concrete evidence supports this. Hoskinson’s leadership has fostered a robust ecosystem, potentially attracting whales seeking long-term value. The lack of liquidity in such large moves could amplify $ADA’s price swings, as noted in Investopedia’s analysis of crypto whales. This volatility could drive price movements upward if buying persists, or downward if selling ensues.

For investors, this development warrants close monitoring. The crypto community is buzzing with reactions, such as queries about whether Hoskinson is “buying again” and speculations about a potential “giga send” for $ADA. The next few days will be critical as Cardano continues to evolve. The surge in whale activity could mark a turning point for the cryptocurrency, potentially leading to a major breakout. However, investors should remain cautious and monitor the market closely, as volatility could influence price movements in the short term. The strategic developments surrounding Cardano, such as the announcement of the Cardano Card for real-world payments and the integration plans for the Tokeo Wallet with the XRP Ledger, have further bolstered the bullish sentiment. These developments, coupled with the potential inclusion of ADA in a U.S. index, suggest that Cardano is gearing up for significant growth. The accumulation of ADA by whales, as indicated by on-chain metrics, supports this bullish outlook. However, the decline in the cryptocurrency's volume by 14.8% over the last 24 hours suggests that a retest of the $0.71 support level might be imminent, highlighting the need for caution in the short term.