Pi Network and Cardano: Which Will Reach $5 First?
August 13, 2025
The digital currency market is once again seeing an increase in activity, with investors showing interest in two distinct projects – Cardano (ADA) and Pi Network (PI). Following Ethereum’s recent price surge to $4.6K, indicating the potential start of altcoin season, traders are debating which of the two coins will hit $5 first.
Cardano, a third-generation proof-of-stake blockchain, has gained recognition in the market for its research-oriented development strategy. Founded by Charles Hoskinson, a co-founder of Ethereum, Cardano’s roadmap includes various eras of upgrades, governance, and scaling solutions such as Hydra. ADA’s all-time high sits at $3.01, and aiming for $5 would necessitate a robust market push, although it remains within historical reach. Recent data highlights significant investor activity, with over 200 million ADA purchased in just two days and a record high of over 15 billion ADA held by long-term holders.
Speculation regarding the approval of a spot ADA ETF is noted to be around 75%, potentially leading to substantial institutional investments. With a $30 billion market capitalization, presence on established exchanges, and past peak performances, ADA displays signs of a potential breakout above critical resistance levels, making a climb to $5 feasibly achievable given the right market conditions.
In contrast, Pi Network offers a unique approach, allowing users to mine PI tokens through their smartphones using the Stellar Consensus Protocol. Since its launch in 2019, Pi Network has amassed a large community; however, it remains in a closed mainnet phase, meaning PI tokens are not freely tradable on major exchanges. Current PI prices on certain platforms reflect IOU trading, with all-time lows under $0.40.
Despite its large user base and plans for ecosystem expansion, Pi Network faces challenges due to its delayed open mainnet launch date, hindering its progress towards the $5 mark. While community enthusiasm remains high, the absence of an official exchange listing and transparent price discovery delays Pi Network’s journey to $5.
In terms of market timing and the outlook for altcoin season, ADA is positioned favorably in the short term. Ethereum’s near all-time high often signals the onset of altcoin season, where established projects typically rally first. ADA benefits from institutional accumulation and positive regulatory cues, positioning it well in the current bullish environment.
Overall, Cardano emerges as the frontrunner in the race to $5, given its proven price history, large market capitalization, and potential ETF approval. Pi Network, while promising in the long run, faces challenges due to the absence of a real market price and open mainnet. As Cardano races ahead, Pi Network is still waiting for the starting signal.
