Cardano (ADA) Price Struggles, Drops 14% After Reaching Horizontal Resistance

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Cardano (ADA) has recently faced a significant pullback, dropping nearly 14% after testing a key horizontal resistance zone. The price action reflects a textbook Elliott Wave correction, with growing speculation about the potential for a bullish reversal and the next major impulsive move. As the market digests recent volatility, traders are closely monitoring critical support and resistance levels to anticipate ADA’s next directional breakout.

This analysis dives into the technical structure of Cardano’s current price movement, evaluates key Fibonacci levels, and explores the conditions under which a new uptrend could emerge. Whether you're a short-term trader or a long-term investor, understanding these patterns is essential for navigating the current phase of consolidation.

Elliott Wave Structure: Understanding ADA’s Correction

Cardano is currently in what appears to be a Wave 4 correction within the broader Elliott Wave sequence on the daily chart. This follows a strong impulsive Wave 3 that peaked at $1.31 on December 3, marking a significant high before the retracement began.

The correction has taken the form of an ABC pattern—typical of Wave 4 movements—where price gradually declines in three subwaves: (a), (b), and (c). This phase is unfolding within a descending triangle formation, a common consolidation pattern that often precedes strong breakouts.

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Price has settled around $0.89, hovering near the 0.382 Fibonacci retracement level. More importantly, the 0.5 retracement at $0.81 stands as a pivotal support threshold. A sustained drop below this level could indicate deeper correction territory, potentially invalidating the current bullish structure.

The Relative Strength Index (RSI) on the daily timeframe shows neutral-to-mild bearish divergence, confirming that upward momentum weakened during Wave 3’s peak. However, this is normal in healthy corrections and doesn’t necessarily signal trend reversal—rather, it suggests market equilibrium is being restored before the next leg up.

If historical patterns hold, the final “c” wave of this correction may find its bottom near $0.70, aligning with the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement—a high-probability zone for institutional accumulation and reversal setups.

Bullish Reversal Conditions: What Triggers Wave 5?

For Cardano to resume its uptrend and enter Wave 5, certain technical conditions must be met. The most critical signal would be a confirmed breakout above $1.07—the 0.236 Fibonacci retracement level—which previously acted as support but has now flipped into resistance.

Once price reclaims this zone with strong volume and closes above it on a daily basis, it would confirm that selling pressure has been absorbed and bullish momentum is returning. This could ignite a five-subwave impulsive advance typical of Wave 5 structures.

Projected Price Targets for Wave 5

Based on Fibonacci extension measurements from the current correction:

These targets are not immediate but represent realistic goals if momentum builds progressively through early stages of the wave. Initial resistance lies at $1.13, followed by $1.25 and $1.39—each serving as potential consolidation zones before further upside.

It's important to note that failure to hold above $0.81—or worse, a breakdown below $0.70—would invalidate the optimistic scenario and suggest either a deeper correction or potential trend change.

Hourly Chart Insights: Signs of a Near-Term Bottom

Zooming into the hourly chart reveals subtle but encouraging signs that the correction may be nearing exhaustion.

Price recently rejected $1.01 after a brief retest, confirming it as resistance. Meanwhile, RSI is approaching oversold territory, often a precursor to reversals in trending markets. While oversold conditions can persist during strong downtrends, in the context of a larger uptrend, they increase the likelihood of a bounce.

Volume analysis also shows diminishing selling pressure as price approaches key support zones—a classic sign of capitulation nearing its end.

Traders should watch for bullish candlestick patterns such as hammer formations, morning stars, or bullish engulfing bars near $0.89–$0.70 to confirm accumulation activity. A clean break above $1.01 with rising volume would further validate upward momentum resumption.

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Key Support and Resistance Levels to Monitor

Staying ahead of ADA’s price action requires constant attention to pivotal technical levels:

These levels serve as decision points for both bulls and bears. Institutional traders often place large orders near such confluences of Fibonacci, volume, and structure—making them high-impact zones.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is Cardano still in an uptrend despite the recent drop?
A: Yes, based on Elliott Wave theory and Fibonacci alignment, ADA remains in a broader uptrend. The current decline is classified as a corrective phase (Wave 4), which typically precedes the final impulsive move (Wave 5).

Q: What confirms that ADA has bottomed out?
A: A confirmed bottom would include: (1) price stabilizing near $0.70–$0.89 with reduced volatility, (2) bullish candlestick patterns forming, (3) RSI exiting oversold with upward crossover, and (4) a daily close above $1.07 with strong volume.

Q: What is the best strategy for trading ADA during this phase?
A: Traders should adopt a wait-and-confirm approach until clear breakout signals emerge. Conservative investors may consider dollar-cost averaging into positions near $0.70–$0.80, while active traders can set conditional entries above $1.07 with tight stop-losses below $0.81.

Q: Can ADA reach $1.55 in 2025?
A: Yes, reaching $1.55 is technically feasible if Wave 5 unfolds as projected. This would require sustained bullish momentum and favorable macroeconomic conditions for cryptocurrencies.

Q: How reliable is Elliott Wave analysis for crypto assets?
A: While no method is foolproof, Elliott Wave theory has proven effective in identifying high-probability turning points in volatile assets like ADA—especially when combined with volume, RSI, and Fibonacci tools.

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Final Outlook: Patience Before the Next Surge

Cardano’s current price action reflects a necessary pause in its upward trajectory—a healthy correction that allows weaker hands to exit and sets the stage for stronger participation in the next phase.

While short-term volatility may persist, the underlying structure remains constructive for future gains. The key lies in monitoring whether support holds and whether momentum shifts back in favor of bulls.

With strategic entry points forming near key Fibonacci levels and technical indicators nearing reversal conditions, now is the time to prepare—not panic.

For traders and investors alike, understanding these cyclical patterns offers a significant edge in timing entries and managing risk effectively.

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