Major investors have quietly purchased $204.3 million worth of Cardano tokens over the past four days, marking the strongest accumulation period since May, even as the cryptocurrency's price remains stagnant near its 2024 lows. The buying activity, representing 0.94% of the total ADA supply, comes amid a broader market downturn that has pushed many retail investors to exit their positions.
Key Insights:
- •Large holders accumulated 348 million ADA tokens valued at approximately $204.3 million in just four days, the most significant buying spree in six months.
- •Cardano's price has declined more than 30% from last month and continues trading below $0.60, creating what analysts view as strategic entry points for institutional buyers.
- •Historical patterns suggest Cardano typically delivers 200% to 300% gains following extended consolidation periods of approximately ten months.
Institutional Buyers Increase Holdings During Price Decline
On-chain data from Santiment reveals that investors holding between 100,000 and 100 million ADA tokens, commonly referred to as whales and sharks, have significantly expanded their positions. The accumulation occurred as Cardano's price corrected sharply from recent highs.
While retail traders have largely withdrawn from the market, institutional investors appear to view the downturn as an opportunity. The buying activity has generated minimal price volatility, allowing large holders to build positions without triggering significant market movements. BeLaunch, a market analysis platform, noted that on-chain metrics indicate coordinated accumulation rather than market weakness.
"While many call Cardano dormant, the charts whisper a different story — millions of ADA are quietly being scooped up by whales and institutions," BeLaunch stated. "On-chain data shows this silence isn't weakness — it's precision accumulation. With retail out of the picture, smart money is loading up without triggering alarms."
The timing of this accumulation aligns with historical patterns that have preceded significant price rallies. Market analysts tracking Cardano's behavior over multiple years have identified recurring cycles of consolidation followed by explosive upward movements.
Historical Data Points to Potential Breakout
The DApp Analyst, a cryptocurrency research platform, examined Cardano's price movements across 2023, 2024, and 2025. The analysis revealed that ADA experienced substantial bull runs after prolonged consolidation phases in both previous years.
In those cycles, Cardano delivered gains ranging from 200% to 300% following periods where the token traded within a narrow range for approximately ten months. The current market structure in October 2025 mirrors conditions observed before those historical rallies. Cardano has spent most of 2025 consolidating between $0.50 and $1.30, a pattern consistent with previous accumulation phases.
"Will 2025 be like '23 & '24?" The DApp Analyst questioned. "ADA has spent the entire year consolidating between $0.5 and $1.3. Can we finally get a breakout?"
The Cardano Summit 2025, scheduled for November in Berlin, may provide additional momentum. Project leaders are expected to announce developments that could influence investor sentiment. However, broader market conditions remain challenging. The altcoin season index currently registers 39 points, indicating widespread caution among investors and suggesting potential resistance to price recovery despite accumulation trends and technical setups.
Concluding Observations
Large-scale accumulation combined with historical precedent creates a framework for potential upward movement, though macroeconomic headwinds continue to pressure cryptocurrency markets. The divergence between whale buying behavior and retail sentiment suggests institutional confidence in Cardano's medium-term prospects, even as short-term price action remains subdued.