Cardano’s native token ADA remains under heavy pressure, falling around 6% over the past 24 hours and extending its weekly decline to nearly 17%.

The latest move reinforces a broader downtrend that has weighed on the asset for much of this cycle, even as several major altcoins have managed to stage strong recoveries or push toward new highs.

Key Takeaways

• ADA fell about 6% in the past day and nearly 17% over the past week.

• Technical indicators continue to point to weak momentum and sustained selling pressure.

• The Cardano Foundation approved a ₳70M integration budget through governance voting.

• ADA trades nearly 90% below its $3.10 all-time high from 2021.

Technical indicators continue to reflect fragile conditions. The RSI is hovering near oversold territory, pointing to persistent selling pressure, while MACD remains in negative territory, signaling weak momentum rather than an emerging reversal. Although trading volume has picked up slightly, price action suggests that buyers remain cautious and largely on the sidelines.

Governance Progress Offers Little Immediate Relief

Against this weak market backdrop, the Cardano Foundation confirmed it has voted in favor of withdrawing ₳70 million for Cardano’s Critical Integrations Budget. Acting as a delegated representative (DRep), the Foundation described the allocation as a necessary step to integrate Cardano more deeply into the broader blockchain economy and support long-term network sustainability.

The funding is intended to accelerate integrations, improve interoperability, and expand real-world use cases for Cardano. While the move signals continued development and governance activity, it has so far failed to translate into any meaningful shift in market sentiment.

The Cardano Foundation, acting as a DRep, has voted YES on the governance action “Withdraw ₳70,000,000 for Cardano Critical Integrations Budget.” ✅

We view this $ada allocation as a necessary catalyst to integrate Cardano into the wider blockchain economy and support the… pic.twitter.com/7Ijb9qxXky

— Cardano Foundation (@Cardano_CF) December 18, 2025

A Growing Gap Between Development and Price Performance

The contrast between Cardano’s governance progress and ADA’s price action is becoming increasingly pronounced. ADA is now trading nearly 90% below its all-time high of $3.10, reached in September 2021. That underperformance stands out sharply in a cycle where multiple altcoins have already set new highs or come close to revisiting previous peaks.

As losses accumulate, patience among long-term holders appears to be thinning. Some investors are openly questioning whether ADA can realistically return to its former highs without a clear surge in adoption and on-chain activity. The prolonged lack of upside momentum has turned what was once a long-term conviction play into a test of endurance for many market participants.

Why the ₳70M Vote Suddenly Matters More

In that context, the ₳70 million integration budget carries more weight than it might have in a stronger market environment. With confidence fading and capital flowing toward faster-moving ecosystems, Cardano’s ability to convert development spending into visible growth may be critical.

If the integration push succeeds, it could help narrow the gap between Cardano’s long-term vision and its current market standing. If it does not, ADA risks remaining sidelined in a cycle that is proving increasingly unforgiving for projects that fail to deliver momentum alongside fundamentals.