Cardano (ADA) has entered September with mixed signals. On-chain data from Santiment reveals that retail sentiment has dropped to its most bearish level in five months, with a bullish-to-bearish commentary ratio at just 1.5:1. Surprisingly, instead of collapsing, ADA has gained about 5% during this period.
This inverse correlation isn’t new. Earlier in August, when optimism spiked, ADA corrected sharply. When fear crept in mid-month, the token rallied.
Analysts note that crowd sentiment often misleads, as smaller traders exit in frustration while larger investors accumulate quietly. That dynamic appears to be playing out again, keeping ADA’s mid-term outlook resilient.
At press time, Cardano trades near $0.82, consolidating after repeated defenses of the $0.80-$0.78 support zone.
Resistance looms at $0.84-$0.85, with the 200-EMA marking a critical barrier. A decisive push above $0.92, the mid-range resistance and a key Fibonacci level, could unlock higher targets at $1.00 and $1.15.
On the downside, losing $0.78 may open the door to $0.74 or even $0.70, though dips have consistently attracted buying interest. With the TD Sequential indicator flashing a potential buy signal, traders are closely watching for confirmation of a rebound.
Cardano received a significant boost after a forensic audit cleared founder Charles Hoskinson of misconduct allegations tied to a voucher program. The report confirmed that claims of insider misuse were baseless, removing the long cloud of uncertainty.
Hoskinson has also pointed to upcoming catalysts, including the Midnight Network privacy layer and potential interoperability with Bitcoin, as drivers for long-term adoption.
Fused with macro factors like the prospect of Fed rate cuts and regulatory clarity from the proposed Clarity Act, ADA’s ecosystem appears well-positioned for renewed growth.
Cardano remains one of the stronger altcoin performers over the past 90 days, posting gains of nearly 25%. The cleared Hoskinson case adds fresh momentum, but technical resistance at $0.92 remains the hurdle that could decide ADA’s next breakout.
If bulls reclaim $0.85 and sustain accumulation, a run toward $1.00 looks increasingly likely. For now, ADA sits at a crossroads, balancing bearish sentiment with bullish fundamentals, where the next decisive move could reshape its September trajectory.
Cover image from ChatGPT, ADAUSD chart from Tradingview
