Why Doesn’t Anyone Talk About Cardano (ADA)?

1 Lesson to Learn from this Case Study

Did you know that despite having a market cap often soaring above $50 billion, Cardano records less than 50,000 daily transactions? In contrast, Ethereum processes over 1 million transactions every day! This stark difference raises a critical question: Are you investing in a cryptocurrency’s real-world performance, or just its hype?

In today’s post, we’ll explore the curious case of Cardano—one of the cryptocurrency market's most prominent yet perplexing players. For those new to investing in crypto, distinguishing between genuine potential and mere market buzz is crucial. Stick with me as we unravel why understanding this distinction can protect your investments from common pitfalls and guide you towards more informed choices.

1. What's the Deal with Cardano?

Cardano price chart. Source: coinmarketcap

Cardano is a big name in the crypto world, right up there with giants like Bitcoin and Ethereum. It boasts a hefty market value—sometimes as high as $16 billion. But here’s something that might surprise you: when we actually look at how much it’s used day-to-day, it doesn’t live up to the hype. It’s a bit like having a huge, fancy shopping mall where hardly anyone shops.

The Story Selling Effect

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson

So, why do people keep investing in Cardano? A lot of it comes down to Charles Hoskinson, the guy who started Cardano. He’s really good at telling a story about how Cardano will change the world, help people in Africa, and solve big problems. His stories are everywhere—YouTube, podcasts, you name it. And he’s convincing. People buy into his dream, and that keeps Cardano’s value up.

But, let’s get real for a moment. Good stories are great, but we also need something solid behind them, right? When we look at Cardano’s actual numbers—like how many people are using it or how much money it’s making—they’re not that impressive, especially compared to other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum or Solana.

Learning from the Past

Gamestop price chart. A movie was made about the hype on Gamestop that pushes its price from $17 to $350 in Jan 2021. Source: Google Finance

History shows us this isn’t new. Cryptocurrencies like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu shot up in value not because they were super useful but because people talked them up a lot. It’s the same reason why a company’s stock, like GameStop, went through the roof because people on the internet decided it was cool.

2. Why This Matters to You

If you’re just starting out in crypto, this is super important. It’s easy to get caught up in exciting stories and big promises. But before you invest, ask yourself: Is there real success here, or is it just hype? Spotting the difference can save you from making costly mistakes.

How to Adjust Your Investment Strategy

Cardano Total Value Locked has been dropping steadily since Jan 2024. Source:

Instead of just going where the hype is, try to look at the real numbers. How many people are actually using the cryptocurrency? How much business is it really doing? For beginners, sticking to cryptocurrencies that have clear and active uses, like Bitcoin and Ethereum, might be a safer bet.

3. Wrap-Up: Look Beyond the Hype

To wrap this up, Cardano teaches us a valuable lesson about the crypto market: excitement and stories can push up values, sometimes more than they should. As you build your crypto portfolio, remember to look for real signs of success, not just good stories. By focusing on the fundamentals, you'll make smarter and safer investment decisions.

Remember, knowing what’s real in the fast-moving world of crypto is your best investment. So, is your crypto investment riding on hype or substance? 

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