Cardano Down 90% Since September 2021, Did Smart Contracts 'Kill' ADA?

At the peak of the 2020 to 2021 bull run, ADA, the native token of Cardano, rose to $3 in August. Interestingly, developers activated smart contracts around the top of this cycle after completing the Alonzo hard fork, ushering in the Goguen phase.

Did Alonzo And Smart Contracts Kill ADA?

However, as Atomic Wallet analysts note, ADA has been on a downtrend since then, crumbling by over 90% over the years at the time of writing. ADA is changing hands at $0.32 when writing, finding immediate support at around $0.30, a psychological number.

Though traders are optimistic about what lies ahead, the turn of events over the last three years could suggest that the activation of smart contracts on Cardano did “kill” the coin’s valuation. The plummeting prices, made worse by the 2022 crypto winter, mean those who bought in August 2021 are holding mud.

ADA has been dumping since September 2021 | Source: @AtomicWallet via X

Whether ADA will recover in the coming weeks and rewind losses of 2022 remains to be seen. What’s clear is that the activation of the Alonzo hard fork and the start of the Goguen era was a key milestone for Cardano. The transition was crucial considering that before September 2021, developers couldn’t deploy dApps and take on Ethereum and competing properties supporting smart contracts.

For years, since the genesis block, Cardano developers have been accused of delaying the process while using billions for development. After Alonzo, users can, even now, create complex smart contracts using Plutus scripts and run dApps. Like other blockchains, all fees are payable in ADA, the native token.

Over the years, Cardano has grown its ecosystem, looking at the total value locked (TVL). According to DeFiLlama, DeFi protocols on Cardano, active after Alonzo, now manage over $177 million in assets.

Though relatively low compared to those in Ethereum and the BNB Chain, developers took advantage of smart contracts and built solutions on the network.

Cardano Transitioning To Voltaire: Will Things Change?

The current disconnect between ADA valuation and the expectation of coin holders post-Goguen is a concern. It is so especially as Cardano completes the Basho stage, moving to Voltaire, the final phase of the platform’s development.

Voltaire focuses on making Cardano governance decentralized. Here, ADA will have more utility, allowing holders to vote on proposals and directly helping improve the network. Additionally, there will be a treasury for funding projects deploying on Cardano. So far, the Chang hard fork is in progress, with roughly 33% of all stake pool operators (SPOs) ready.

Cardano price trending downward on the daily chart | Source: ADAUSDT on Binance, TradingView

Meanwhile, ADA remains under immense selling pressure and could plunge to 2023 lows of around $0.22 if buyers don’t step in. If prices rise above $0.50, bulls will likely push ADA toward March 2024 highs.

Feature image from Shutterstock, chart from TradingView

Dalmas Ngetich

Dalmas, a seasoned crypto reporter, brings a unique perspective to the industry. His specialization in NFTs, blockchain, DeFi, and blockchain news for NewsBTC, combined with a background in mechanical engineering and over a decade of experience in journalism, has allowed him to craft over 10,000 news and feature articles over the past eight years. His diverse range of topics, including technology, Forex, and finance, reflects his comprehensive understanding of the crypto landscape.

His technical expertise and analytical skills have been recognized and featured by leading news outlets such as Investing.com, CoinTelegraph, Entrepreneur, Forbes, and other authority sites. Notably, he broke key news, including the Ripple and MoneyGram partnership, cementing his position as a thought leader in crypto.
The news exploded. Over 100,000 people devoured this meticulously crafted report, from seasoned investors to curious newcomers. His analysis wasn't just dry facts and figures; it crackled with insight, dissecting the implications of the partnership and its potential impact on the future of finance.

His deep understanding of the financial markets, technological advancements, and blockchain developments has made him a respected voice in the industry.

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The story of DeFi in Africa is still being written. Challenges abound, but the promise of a more inclusive financial future is a powerful motivator. With innovation and collaboration, Dalmas firmly believes that DeFi could become the key to unlocking Africa's full economic potential.
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Beyond his professional achievements, Dalmas is deeply passionate about technology and politics. Policies drive adoption, and being at the forefront and keeping up with how they evolve is crucial for the sphere to mature.

When Dalmas is not closely monitoring the latest crypto events, he can be found in nature, exploring the picturesque countryside, and traveling with his family and friends. His love for adventure and discovery perfectly complements his investigative and reporting skills.
You can connect with Dalmas on X: @Dalmas_Ngetich, or contact him on Telegram @Dalmas_Ngetich.

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