Cardano Unveils Progress Across DeFi, Governance, and Adoption
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ZUG, Switzerland, October 2025 - Cardano outlines significant progress across the Cardano blockchain ecosystem, showcasing new integrations with Bitcoin, expanded institutional activity, and a broadening footprint in DeFi. The developments signal a steady shift from long-term roadmap execution to real-world delivery.
DeFi Innovation and Bitcoin Integration
A key area of advancement is Cardano’s growing support for Bitcoin-based DeFi. Following an integration announcement from BitcoinOS, the Cardano ecosystem has seen a surge in cross-chain activity. Projects such as Sundial and Fluid Tokens have built technical bridges between networks.
In June, the Cardinal protocol was launched to enable Bitcoin holders to lend and stake BTC on Cardano using threshold cryptography. In parallel, Indigo’s iBTC, a synthetic Bitcoin asset backed by ADA, adds to the growing suite of decentralized tools designed to expand BTC utility on Cardano.
Charles Hoskinson, co-founder of Cardano, described the network’s goal as combining “Bitcoin’s decentralization with tools built for traditional finance.”
Institutional Activity Strengthens
Cardano has also made strides with institutional recognition. As of June, over 1.3 million ADA staking addresses were active. Exchanges such as eToro and Binance.US have reinstated support for ADA. The asset is now listed on the Nasdaq Crypto Index, the FTSE Global Digital Asset Index, and is included in Coinbase’s proposed Spot ETF.
Public disclosure by a White House advisor reporting ADA holdings signals further mainstream visibility.
Community Tokens and Enterprise Pilots Gain Traction
Grassroots token activity continues to grow. The meme coin SNEK accounted for up to 16% of DEX volume at its peak and reached over 40,000 holders, becoming Cardano’s second-largest token by market cap.
Meanwhile, enterprise adoption has taken shape through Iagon’s document validation pilot with Ford Motor Company, one of the first known Fortune 500 engagements on the Cardano blockchain.
New Trading Tools Expand Access
Cardano’s DeFi stack now includes derivatives trading. In Q2, Strike Finance launched perpetual ADA contracts with up to 10x leverage. Daily volume has exceeded 3.5 million ADA.
Additionally, Saturn Swap rolled out a voice-enabled, AI-assisted interface designed to simplify DEX trading for new users.
Stablecoin Infrastructure Grows With USDM
Moneta’s fiat-backed stablecoin USDM has entered broader circulation. The token is fully backed by cash in FDIC-insured accounts and follows a phased rollout. It has been integrated into the Lace wallet and is available on Liqwid Finance, which currently holds nearly 43 million ADA in total value locked.
Core Infrastructure and Identity Tools Expand
Cardano’s technical infrastructure continues to evolve. The Hydra Layer-2 protocol now supports “Hydra Heads,” enabling high-speed off-chain microtransactions whose final state can be securely settled on-chain. The Lace wallet supports Bitcoin wallets, multisig, non-custodial staking, and a new dApp browser.
Starstream, a zero-knowledge virtual machine funded by Project Catalyst, is in development to enable privacy-preserving smart contracts. Cardano also contributed its Atala PRISM toolkit to Hyperledger Aries, improving DID interoperability across networks.
Governance Framework Enters Operational Phase
In June, Cardano formalized its on-chain governance model with the election of its Constitutional Committee, part of the broader rollout of the Voltaire governance era.
The Cardano treasury program, Project Catalyst, has funded over 2,091 proposals to date. Total wallet registrations exceeded 5.2 million, while cumulative transactions crossed 111 million in Q2 2025.
Cardano’s Next Phase
Cardano’s development is translating into measurable results across governance, DeFi, identity, and cross-chain utility. The network’s steady pace continues to yield outcomes, with growing support from both institutional actors and community stakeholders.
The Foundation remains committed to long-term architecture and sustainable blockchain design.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Cardano Foundation
[email protected]
