Cardano's DeFi Sector Hits Three-Year High Amid Robust Growth

Cardano (ADA) has successfully reclaimed significant ground within the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector, witnessing its total value locked (TVL) climb by an impressive 28.7% in Q3 2025. This milestone marks the highest level recorded since early 2022, signaling a strong resurgence for the network. A recent report by Messari, 'State of Cardano,' highlights that the network's burgeoning DeFi growth and a substantial expansion of its treasury have propelled ADA's market capitalization upwards by 42.5%, now standing at $29.5 billion.

Key protocols such as Liqwid and Minswap have been instrumental in driving Cardano’s DeFi momentum. Liqwid's TVL experienced a remarkable 50.8% jump to $101.6 million, while Minswap solidified its dominance, capturing 74.7% of all DEX volume. Further bolstering confidence, Cardano’s treasury balance has swelled to $1.3 billion, indicative of renewed developer enthusiasm and the ecosystem's inherent resilience.

Whale Accumulation and Bullish Price Predictions

Despite recent market volatility that saw ADA temporarily dip below the $0.6 mark, whale activity has surged dramatically. On-chain data from Santiment reveals that between November 7 and 10, large holders amassed 348 million ADA, equating to over $204 million and representing nearly 0.94% of the total supply. This significant buying spree has coincided with a modest 21% rebound in ADA’s price from its $0.49 low earlier in the month, fueling investor anticipation for a potential breakout above $0.6. Analysts are identifying a bullish “Power of Three” pattern, which could pave the way for a rally towards $0.73, with further upside potential in the upcoming bullish phase.

While whale accumulation points to strong institutional positioning for long-term gains, overall network activity has shown a slight softening, with daily active addresses experiencing a decline. This divergence suggests a cautious stance among retail users, contrasting with the strategic movements of high-net-worth investors.

Strategic Alignments and Future Roadmap

Cardano's institutional narrative has been further strengthened by its inclusion among digital assets aligned with the ISO 20022 global financial messaging standard. Charles Hoskinson, Cardano's founder, reaffirmed ADA’s full support for this framework, positioning it alongside established assets like XRP and XLM in the realm of global payment interoperability. In parallel, the Cardano ecosystem achieved full community-led governance in September 2025 and continues to roll out significant upgrades, including Halo2-Plutus, designed to enhance privacy and scalability.

The updated roadmap from the Cardano Foundation underscores a focus on expanding DeFi liquidity, fostering stablecoin adoption, and tokenizing real-world assets. These strategic initiatives highlight a maturing ecosystem poised for the next wave of blockchain innovation and widespread adoption.