Cardano Price Prediction: Is ADA Repeating the 2021 Surge to Hit $16?

Cardano (ADA) may be down in price, but it’s certainly not out. Despite a 12.13% monthly dip, ADA’s chart is sending out signals eerily similar to its 2020–2021 breakout phase. Back then, Cardano stunned the market by rallying from cents to over $3.10, marking one of the most iconic crypto runs of that bull cycle.

Now, history seems to be repeating itself, but with a twist. The Cardano price prediction isn’t just about technical analysis this time. It’s being driven by aggressive accumulation and stronger fundamentals. In fact, the scale of accumulation today dwarfs that of the previous cycle. If momentum continues to build, some analysts argue that a $16 target for ADA is no longer a dream.

ADA Re-Enters 2021’s Famous Consolidation Zone

ADA is currently trading within a consolidation pattern that looks nearly identical to the structure that preceded its 2021 surge. Back then, ADA broke through a supply zone, hovered around the same price level for weeks, and then exploded to $3.10.

Chart 1- ADA/USDT Live Price, published on TradingView, April 21, 2025. 

The same pattern has emerged on ADA’s weekly chart. After climbing above a similar supply zone, the asset has entered another sideways phase, consolidating and awaiting a potential breakout. If the pattern plays out like it did in 2021, Cardano could retest its previous all-time high as a short-term goal.

A return to $3.10 from current levels would represent a 457% gain for ADA holders. However, technical structure is only one side of this story; market behavior is adding serious weight to this Cardano price prediction.

Cardano Accumulation Is Off the Charts

Backing the technical narrative is some extremely bullish on-chain data. According to CoinGlass, investors have been steadily accumulating ADA over the past seven weeks. During this time, a whopping $379 million worth of Cardano has been pulled off exchanges and stored in wallets for long-term holding. This accumulation activity makes up about 1.7% of ADA’s current $22 billion market cap, a significant figure that signals long-term conviction. This isn’t short-term speculation. It’s intentional buying, likely by institutional players or large crypto funds positioning themselves early.

Compare that with ADA’s last big run: between September and November 2020, only $9.57 million worth of ADA was accumulated during a similar consolidation phase. That means current accumulation is nearly 40 times higher, making this cycle’s breakout potential even stronger.

Derivatives Market Supports the Bullish Bias

Even as ADA prices lag, sentiment in the derivatives market remains overwhelmingly bullish. The Open Interest Weighted Funding Rate currently sits at 0.0086%, signaling a high number of long contracts being opened.

This means traders are betting on a price increase, and if this trend continues on lower timeframes, it will reinforce the long-term upward movement. In crypto markets, sustained positive funding rates often precede significant rallies, especially when backed by strong fundamentals like Cardano accumulation. With traders and investors seemingly aligned, all signs point toward a market preparing for a breakout.

Could ADA Really Reach $16?

That’s the big question. ADA reaching its previous high of $3.10 is already a bold call, but could it really climb all the way to $16? If accumulation continues at this rate and ADA breaks out of its consolidation range with volume, then yes, it’s within the realm of possibility.

The difference this time isn’t just the pattern; it’s the intensity behind it. More money, more conviction, and clearer signals are stacking in ADA’s favor. Of course, crypto markets are always subject to unexpected turns, but Cardano’s price prediction looks more optimistic now than it has in months.

2025 May Be Cardano’s Encore Year

The past doesn’t repeat, but it often rhymes, and in Cardano’s case, the echoes of 2021 are loud and clear. With accumulation rates surging and market patterns aligning, ADA is setting itself up for a potentially historic move.

If you’re looking for altcoins with strong upside and on-chain support, Cardano may be one of the top contenders. Whether it hits $3.10 again or shocks the market with a $16 breakout remains to be seen, but the signals are too strong to ignore. Cardano price prediction isn’t just speculation this time; it’s rooted in serious market behavior and trend confirmation.