Cardano (ADA), the ninth-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, is capturing investor attention once again as its price approaches the key psychological threshold of $1. The renewed optimism surrounding ADA is largely fueled by the recent formation of a “golden cross” on the daily chart—a technical pattern historically associated with sustained bullish trends.

A golden cross occurs when a short-term moving average, typically the 50-day MA, crosses above a long-term moving average such as the 200-day MA. This event is widely seen by analysts as a strong signal of bullish momentum and a potential harbinger of long-term upward price movement. In Cardano’s case, this pattern signals increased buying pressure and market confidence at a time when broader sentiment in the crypto sector is recovering.

The golden cross has energized Cardano’s community, as many traders now set their sights on the $1 level—a price not seen since the last major rally. The formation has effectively shifted ADA’s market narrative, turning attention toward what could be a significant breakout phase.

Crypto market analyst Ali Martinez recently emphasized the importance of ADA’s current price structure. He noted that Cardano is facing a crucial resistance level at $0.74. “A breakout above this level,” Martinez said, “could pave the way for a move toward $0.88.” This sentiment has resonated strongly within the trading community, especially as ADA continues to hold firm around the $0.70 zone, showing resilience and upward pressure.

Recent data from CoinGecko highlights that Cardano has gained 13.7% over the past two weeks, reaching $0.70 at the time of writing. This consistent growth reinforces the idea that the digital asset is in the midst of a steady recovery, with momentum building around both technical and fundamental indicators.

One of those fundamental drivers is increasing speculation around a potential Cardano-based exchange-traded fund (ETF). According to recent estimates, the likelihood of an ADA ETF being approved has risen to 70%. This shift is largely due to ADA’s growing appeal to institutional investors, who have been steadily accumulating the asset in recent weeks. Should such an ETF gain approval, it could provide Cardano with a fresh wave of inflows and mainstream exposure, further pushing the price toward the $1 milestone.

Adding more fuel to the bullish outlook is commentary from Dan Gambardello, a well-known analyst and founder of Crypto Capital Venture. He argues that Cardano could play a pivotal role in the future of decentralized finance, particularly in relation to Bitcoin. “Bitcoin has flipped Silver and is headed to many more trillions,” Gambardello said. “Cardano is the blockchain that is going to unlock a secure Bitcoin DeFi.”

His prediction aligns with growing market belief that Cardano’s architecture is well-suited to support next-generation DeFi solutions. Unlike other blockchains that often sacrifice decentralization or security for speed, Cardano’s layered approach and emphasis on peer-reviewed development offer a compelling foundation for long-term utility.

From a broader perspective, ADA is also being fueled by improving on-chain activity, deeper smart contract integration, and increasing developer participation. The network’s growth is not just speculative; it is being supported by concrete upgrades and a steady rise in real-world use cases, particularly in finance, identity management, and digital governance.

Still, challenges remain. Breaking the $0.74 resistance is critical for ADA to maintain its bullish structure. A failure to do so could trigger short-term profit-taking, potentially pushing the price back toward support zones. However, with technical signals aligning and bullish narratives growing, the broader market outlook for ADA remains optimistic.

In the coming weeks, all eyes will be on whether Cardano can sustain its momentum and reclaim the coveted $1 level. If the golden cross plays out as historically expected, and if ETF speculation and institutional accumulation continue to rise, ADA could be on the verge of a major upward shift—one that may ultimately extend well beyond the psychological milestone and into the $1.50–$2 territory.

For now, Cardano stands at a pivotal moment. With both technicals and sentiment in alignment, a breakout could be closer than ever.