Cardano News Today: ETFs Embrace Altcoins as ADA Falters and XLM Rises on ISO Standards

Cardano (ADA) and Stellar (XLM) are gaining institutional traction as the crypto market diversifies and regulatory frameworks evolve, with both projects aligning with ISO 20022 standards and attracting inclusion in major exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The Franklin Crypto Index ETF (EZPZ), which previously held only Bitcoin and Ethereum, announced on December 1, 2025, that it will expand its holdings to include Cardano, Stellar, XRP, Solana, Dogecoin, and Chainlink. This move reflects a broader shift toward altcoin diversification in institutional portfolios, driven by the Cboe BZX Exchange's adoption of new rules and SEC approval. The ETF's underlying index, the CF Institutional Digital Asset Index, now mirrors market trends by incorporating these assets, ensuring alignment with current demand and regulatory flexibility as per the latest update.

Cardano's inclusion in the ISO 20022-compliant category on CoinMarketCap further underscores its institutional relevance. The ISO 20022 standard, adopted by banks and traditional financial institutions for structured payments, has positioned Cardano as a bridge between decentralized and traditional finance. Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson highlighted its role as the sole smart-contract-focused asset in this category, contrasting with XRP's utility in cross-border payments. This recognition aligns with the global financial system's transition to ISO 20022, which officially ended coexistence with legacy SWIFT MT messages in November 2025. Nicolas Stuckens, head of ISO 20022 adoption at SWIFT, noted that 97% of payment instructions now use the standard, with all G20 countries having completed the switch.

However, Cardano's price faces short-term bearish pressures. Despite its institutional appeal, ADA has fallen nearly 31% from its monthly high and 63% from its 2025 peak, with technical indicators flashing warnings of a potential drop to $0.30. Network activity metrics, including total value locked (TVL), app revenue, and active addresses, have declined sharply, signaling waning user participation. Futures open interest has also dropped from $1.95 billion in mid-September to $710 million, reflecting reduced speculative positioning.

In contrast, Stellar's price projections present a more optimistic outlook. Analysts predict XLM could reach $1.29 by year-end 2025, with potential highs of $6.19 by 2030, driven by growing institutional interest in real-world assets (RWAs) and cross-border payment use cases. Ripple's Interledger Protocol (ILP), now eligible to interface with SWIFT's ISO 20022 network, could further bolster XLM's utility. ILP leverages XRP as a bridge asset for settlements, enabling faster and cheaper cross-border transactions. While the ISO 20022 standard itself does not mandate XRP usage, its integration with Ripple's infrastructure positions the token for increased adoption in global banking systems.

The convergence of regulatory progress and technological innovation is reshaping the crypto landscape. The Franklin ETF's expansion, coupled with ISO 20022 compliance for Cardano and Stellar, signals growing institutional acceptance of altcoins. Yet, market dynamics remain volatile, with Cardano's technical challenges contrasting against Stellar's bullish forecasts. As Zero Knowledge Proof and other privacy-enhancing technologies enter the market, the role of ISO 20022-compliant assets like ADA and XLM may become pivotal in bridging decentralized and traditional finance.