After a strong rally that propelled Cardano’s native cryptocurrency ADA to $1.15 last week, the price experienced a slight correction.

Despite this pullback, ADA remains one of the crypto market’s standout performers, surging approximately 187% over the past month.

That said, large investors, or “whales,” seized the opportunity to accumulate amid this pullback. In a tweet, crypto analyst Ali Martinez revealed that Cardano whales purchased over 130 million ADA during the recent dip, underscoring their confidence in the blockchain’s long-term potential.

This whale-buying influx signals investors’ confidence in Cardano’s long-term potential, reflecting a bullish outlook on the blockchain’s ecosystem and future growth.

Notably, Cardano has officially outperformed Bitcoin in the last 365 days, underscoring the project’s growing interest and adoption. The network has also reached a major milestone, with over 70 billion $ADA transacted on its blockchain.

The potential approval of a Cardano-focused exchange-traded fund (ETF) could significantly boost ADA’s price. On Wednesday, the SEC revealed that NYSE Arca filed for the Bitwise 10 Crypto Index Fund, which includes major assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and ADA.

Moreover, Nate Geraci, president of The ETF Store, recently noted the growing interest in altcoin-related spot ETFs, stating that at least one issuer tried ADA. If approved, a Cardano ETF could open the door to substantial institutional investment, further strengthening ADA’s ecosystem and market position.

Furthermore, Cardano’s expanding ecosystem and bold initiatives are solidifying its appeal as a promising investment opportunity. On Wednesday, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson announced plans to establish a native standard for Real World Assets (RWA) on the Cardano blockchain.

Notably, tokenizing real-world assets, a market projected to reach $20 trillion within the next decade, presents a transformative opportunity for the network. According to the pundit, Cardano’s proposed standard aims to simplify the process of converting assets such as real estate, intellectual property, and financial instruments into blockchain-based tokens. This would provide enhanced security, lower transaction costs, and streamlined workflows, making the blockchain more appealing.

Set to launch between 2025 and 2026, this initiative could position Cardano as a “universal ledger,” facilitating seamless interoperability between blockchain networks and transforming how digital and physical assets are managed.

Beyond this development, ongoing projects like Midnight, which promises to introduce private smart contracts, and potential collaborations with major blockchains such as XRP, Solana, and Bitcoin, could further bolster Cardano’s ecosystem, enhancing its appeal to institutional and retail investors.

ADA was trading at $1.05 at press time, reflecting a modest 4.97% surge over the past 24 hours.