Large holders quietly accumulate 819 million ADA during price decline
February 26, 2026
Cardano’s big fish, the sharks and whales, have been discreetly boosting their ADA holdings, amassing a staggering 819.4 million tokens valued at $248 million over the past six months. This activity has seen their supply share increase from 66.84% to 68.44%, indicating a significant surge in their stake in the cryptocurrency despite a recent price downturn.
In a recent analysis by on-chain data platform Santiment, the focus was on the supply distribution of Cardano’s major holders, particularly the sharks and whales. These individuals or entities are categorized based on the number of ADA tokens they possess. The range highlighted in this study varies from 100,000 to 100 million coins, translating to holdings worth between $30,400 and $30.4 million at current exchange rates.
The sharks and whales, also referred to as large investors, are often watched closely as their actions can sway the market sentiment. The recent data indicates a rise in supply distribution for these players, reflecting a period of substantial accumulation. Their acquisition of nearly 819.4 million ADA tokens adds to the narrative, exemplifying their confidence in the long-term prospects of Cardano.
Interestingly, this accumulation trend has occurred concurrently with a significant drop in ADA’s price. This juxtaposition suggests that these major investors are seizing the opportunity presented by lower price levels to bolster their holdings. The implications of their strategic moves on the market dynamics remain to be seen, especially considering the notable uptick in accumulation activity observed in recent months.
Despite the bearish market sentiment, Cardano has experienced a notable price surge of 14% in the past 24 hours, pushing its value to $0.30. This bullish momentum could be indicative of the growing confidence among investors, particularly the major stakeholders who have been quietly increasing their ADA holdings.
The displayed chart by Santiment visually represents the upward trajectory of ADA accumulation by the sharks and whales, underscoring their sustained interest in bolstering their share of the cryptocurrency. While market conditions have been challenging with a price downturn, these influential investors have seized the opportunity to enhance their position in Cardano, potentially signaling their long-term bullish outlook on the project.
Overall, the quiet yet significant accumulation by Cardano’s major players, the sharks and whales, underscores a sense of resilience and optimism in the face of market fluctuations. Their strategic moves to accumulate ADA tokens during a period of price decline point towards a strong belief in the project’s potential, reflecting a broader sentiment of confidence and stability in Cardano’s future growth prospects.
