Cardano Day Trading 2026 – Tutorial & Brokers
Cardano is an established crypto token that aims to provide a secure, scalable and sustainable platform for smart contracts and other decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. In this article, we’ve explained all there is to know about this ambitious altcoin, including how to buy it, whether it is a good investment, and how to start trading. We’ve also listed some of the best brokers for trading Cardano.
Cardano Brokers & Exchanges
Here is a short overview of each broker's pros and cons
- CEX.IO - CEX.IO offers hundreds of popular cryptocurrencies including big names like Bitcoin, Ethereum and Litecoin. The trading platform is well-designed with sophisticated charting and analysis tools, including 50+ in-built indicators. Traders can also reduce their monthly volumes through the tiered pricing structure.
- InstaTrade - InstaTrade offers a modest selection of around 12 cryptos against the USD, tradable via CFDs. Fees are low, especially for major assets like BTC/USD with spreads from 0. There's also a dedicated cryptocurrency blog with useful technical insights to support short-term trading decisions.
- Gemini - Gemini offers a relatively small range of 110+ cryptocurrencies on its exchange, which is anchored by the native Gemini Dollar stablecoin, as well as perpetual swap derivatives. The powerful ActiveTrader platform is optimized for online trading, delivering a wide range of technical indicators and up to 7 time frames.
- Nexo - Nexo offers trading on an impressive suite of around 70 tokens, including Bitcoin. Digital assets can be bought, sold and swapped directly on the exchange or traded in over 500 pairs. Digital assets can also be used as collateral for fiat loans or used to generate passive income with the ‘smart staking’ tool or from interest earned via peer-to-peer loans.
- Kraken - Kraken is a specialized crypto exchange and supports more than 220 cryptocurrencies. These include all of the established tokens like Bitcoin as well as some altcoins. Traders can make trades on spot crypto markets with up to 1:5 leverage or on futures with up to 1:50. Fees are low and the platform is super easy to pick up.
- Crypto.com - Crypto.com has bolstered its suite of cryptos, now offering more than 400 digital tokens, from Bitcoin through to lesser-known options. Crypto.com supports both spot and derivative trading, as well as sophisticated algo trading through custom strategies and APIs.
CEX.IO
"CEX.IO continues to serve a range of crypto investors looking to buy, sell, trade, hold and earn with low fees. The tiered pricing structure will appeal to active traders while rookie investors will enjoy the straightforward platform interface and excellent education."
Tobias Robinson, Reviewer
CEX.IO Quick Facts
| Coins | ZRX, 1INCH, AAVE, BTC, BCH, ADA, LINK, COMP, ATOM, DAI, DOGE, ETH, GUSD, ICP, LTC, LRC, MATIC, MKR, DOT, SHIB, SOL, XLM, SUSHI, SNX, USDT, XTZ, USDC, UNI, WBTC, ZIL |
|---|---|
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | 0.15% maker & 0.25% taker (Standard) |
| Crypto Lending | Yes |
| Crypto Staking | Yes |
| Platforms | TradingView |
| Minimum Deposit | $20 |
| Regulator | GFSC |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP |
Pros
- The proprietary terminal features an advanced charting package from TradingView, including 50+ technical indicators
- The range of 200+ cryptocurrencies is competitive and will serve more experienced traders
- CEX.IO has remained a trusted crypto exchange since its launch, with 5+ million users
Cons
- A maintenance fee applies after 12 months of no activity
- The broker has limited regulatory oversight
- Deposit and withdrawal fees are relatively high, including 0.3% + $25 for SWIFT withdrawals
InstaTrade
"Although InstaTrade offers active trading on a comprehensive platform, it stands out with its fairly unique Fixed Income Structured Product (FISP), providing passive investment opportunities with up to 50% returns in 6 months if conditions are met. "
Christian Harris, Reviewer
InstaTrade Quick Facts
| Coins | BTC, ETH, XRP, LTC, SOL, UNI, DOGE, BCH, FIL, ADA, DOT, LINK |
|---|---|
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Lending | No |
| Crypto Staking | No |
| Platforms | InstaTrade Gear, MT4 |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 |
| Regulator | BVI FSC |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, RUB |
Pros
- InstaTrade delivers an excellent suite of charting tools for day traders with its web trader comprising 250+ indicators, 11 chart types and a user-friendly design.
- VPS hosting caters to algo trading strategies with a dedicated physical server providing rapid execution speeds as low as 9 milliseconds.
- InstaTrade TV, consisting of video interviews and valuable market insights spanning equities, cryptos and more, helps identify opportunities and inform short-term trades.
Cons
- InstaTrade’s growing educational tools provide valuable information for aspiring traders, but still trail category leaders like eToro with no structured course based on experience level.
- Profits are only guaranteed in the FISP if investors do not reach the 50% profit level and attract other users with a total sum of $4 for each dollar in compensation.
- InstaTrade sports one of the most cluttered websites and client cabinets in the industry, potentially overwhelming new traders, especially compared to XTB’s intuitive trading journey and resources.
Gemini
"Gemini’s ActiveTrader platform and TradingView integration make it a good choice for serious crypto traders seeking a reliable charting environment, though we were disappointed by some unnecessary fees and previous security breaches."
Gemini Quick Facts
| Coins | BTC, ETH, XRP, ADA, DOGE, DOT, BCH, LTC, UNI, LINK, FIL, XLM, WBTC, EOS, SOL, AAV, XTZ, ATOM, MKR, DAI, COMP, ZEC, ENJ, GRT, SNX, BAT, MANA, YFI, UMA, ZRX, OMG, BNT, REN, CRV, 1INCH, LRC, KNC, STORJ, GNT, SKL and many more |
|---|---|
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | Transaction fee from $0.99 |
| Crypto Lending | Yes |
| Crypto Staking | Yes |
| Platforms | ActiveTrader, AlgoTrader, TradingView |
| Minimum Deposit | $0 |
| Regulator | NYDFS, MAS, FCA |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, HKD, SGD |
Pros
- The exchange ensures high security standards with 2FA a requirement for all crypto investors
- Crypto perpetual futures are available in many jurisdictions with up to 1:100 leverage
- The TradingView integration delivers top-quality tools, including backtesting and algo trading capabilities
Cons
- There are high fees for some funding methods including a 3.49% fee for card transactions
- There is no practice profile or demo account for prospective traders
- The exchange has a history of concerning incidents including the collapse of its Earn program and a phishing breach
Nexo
"Nexo gives crypto traders the capability to trade, invest, lend and borrow digital assets in one place, and it’s especially good for its credit functions that pay out very high yields to lenders. However, its fees are relatively high and many day traders will prefer a more tightly regulated crypto broker."
Nexo Quick Facts
| Coins | BTC, ETH, NEXO, USDT, USDC, AXS, RUNE, MATIC, DOT, APE, AVAX, KSM, ATOM, FTM, NEAR, BNB, ADA, SOL, XRP, LTC, LINK, BCH, TRX, XLM, EOS, PAXG, UNI, DOGE, MANA, SAND, GALA, SUSHI, AAVE, CRV, MKR, 1INCH, DAI, USDP, TUSD |
|---|---|
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | N/A |
| Crypto Lending | Yes |
| Crypto Staking | Yes |
| Platforms | Nexo Pro |
| Minimum Deposit | $10 |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP |
Pros
- Nexo’s crypto staking and credit features support crypto lending and borrowing, and the yields lenders receive are among the best going
- Nexo Pro is a user-friendly proprietary platform that suits day trading strategies with great charting features
- Reputable crypto exchange that has been in business since 2018 and has taken some steps toward regulation
Cons
- High maker/taker fees mean day traders will pay more to trade derivatives than they would at some rival exchanges
- High deposit and withdrawal fees for cards and e-wallets will price many traders out of the most convenient payment methods
- The range of tokens is extensive compared to most crypto brokers but still much smaller than similar crypto exchanges like Kraken
Kraken
"Kraken will suit traders looking for a diverse list of cryptos including Bitcoin and a good security track record."
William Berg, Reviewer
Kraken Quick Facts
| Coins | AAVE, ALGO, ANT, REP, REPV2, BAT, BAL, XBT, BCH, ADA, LINK, COMP, ATOM, CRV, DAI, DASH, MANA, XDG, EWT, EOS, ETH, ETC, FIL, FLOW, GNO, ICX, KAVA, KEEP, KSM, KNC, LSK, LTC, MLN, XMR, NANO, OCEAN, OMG, OXT, PAXG, DOT and many more |
|---|---|
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | 0-0.26% average |
| Crypto Lending | No |
| Crypto Staking | Yes |
| Platforms | AlgoTrader, Quantower |
| Minimum Deposit | $10 |
| Regulator | FCA, FinCEN, FINTRAC, AUSTRAC, FSA |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF |
Pros
- Very good security track record with no hacks in a decade since launch
- Low exchange fees on Kraken Pro
- 50x leverage on futures trading
Cons
- Low leverage on spot trading
- Does not support many newer altcoins
- Slow verification process on Pro account
Crypto.com
"Crypto.com is a snug fit for aspiring crypto traders who want to buy, sell and trade over 400 digital tokens. Its strike options and prediction markets spanning financial, economic, election, sport, and cultural events via its CFTC-regulated entity also make it a secure option for US traders interested in binary-style contracts on an intuitive app."
Crypto.com Quick Facts
| Coins | BTC, CRO, ETH, XRP, LTC, EOS, XLM, USDC, ATOM, LINK, XTZ, BCH, VET, ICX, ADA, ENJ, ALGO, KNC, NEO, DAI, PAXG, BAT, COMP, OMG, MANA, QTUM, CELR, MKR, UNI, YFI, BAND, EGLD, WBTC, AAVE, DOT, REN, ONT, LRC, CRV, ZIL and many more |
|---|---|
| Crypto Mining | No |
| Auto Market Maker | No |
| Crypto Spread | 0.075% (spot), 0.034% (derivatives) |
| Crypto Lending | Yes |
| Crypto Staking | Yes |
| Platforms | Own |
| Minimum Deposit | Varies by payment method |
| Regulator | SEC, FCA, MAS, AMF, CySEC, CBI, ASIC, FINTRAC, CIMA, VARA, OAM, HCMC, CFTC, OSC, KoFIU |
| Account Currencies | USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, ZAR, TRY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, HKD, PLN, CZK, AED, SAR, HUF, BRL, KES |
Pros
- The Crypto.com Exchange platform offers sophisticated bots, including Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA), Time-Weighted Average Price (TWAP), and Grid Trading bots. These tools allow traders to automate strategies, including leveraged perpetual trades, minimizing manual effort and slippage.
- The platform supports unified portfolio tracking across cryptocurrencies, stocks, ETFs, and more recently prediction markets, all within a single interface, simplifying asset management for multi-asset traders and providing consolidated insights.
- Crypto.com has expanded beyond crypto in some regions, offering over 5000 stocks and ETFs for traders looking to build diverse portfolios and opportunities in different sectors.
Cons
- The app's high bid-ask spreads on many coins can be costly for traders placing market orders. Wide spreads mean the price you pay when buying is noticeably higher than the price you receive when selling, cutting into profits, especially on lower-volume trades.
- Customer support primarily relies on chatbots and email, with limited reliable phone support from our testing. This can lead to delays in resolving urgent issues, such as account access or transaction problems, which can be frustrating for crypto day traders who need quick assistance.
- Withdrawal fees apply to crypto transfers and fiat withdrawals, and these can be significant for active traders making smaller transfers. The minimum withdrawal limits are also relatively high, which restricts flexibility for managing smaller portfolios or quick liquidity needs.
What Is Cardano?
Cardano is a cryptocurrency with the ticker symbol ADA, named after the mathematicians Gerlado Cardano and Ada Lovelace. Just like other cryptos, it uses blockchain technology to record transaction history.
Founder, Charles Hoskinson, was one of the original creators of Ethereum (ETH) but left the project following a disagreement with co-founder Vitalik Buterin over venture capital investment.
Cardano’s Initial Coin Offering (ICO) ran from September 2015 to January 2017, raising approximately $62 million across four funding stages. The mainnet officially launched on September 27, 2017, with an initial market cap of approximately $600 million. ADA exploded in value in the coming years to reach a market cap in the billions, but like other crypto tokens Cardano is highly volatile and has undergone severe price fluctuations since its launch.
Similar to Ethereum, Cardano’s aim is to run smart contracts which can be developed using the programming language, Javascript. ADA itself is written in Haskell.
Cardano has no official owner. It is a decentralized currency meaning every ADA holder has a stake in the Cardano network. It does not have a white paper, unlike most other altcoins, but instead is the first crypto to be peer-reviewed. It is steered by the Cardano Foundation, an independent Swiss not-for-profit organization that oversees the advancement of the protocol.
The Cardano Foundation set out its mission statement, with the core aim to increase adoption of the network. Cardano is a limited supply coin with a max of 45 billion ADA.
How Cardano Works
Cardano works by using a two-layer system. The first layer is called the Cardano Settlement Layer (CSL) which processes transactions in the ADA cryptocurrency. The second layer is known as the Control Layer, which is used to process the smart contracts.
Underpinning all of this is the Ouroboros algorithm, developed by Input Output Global (IOG) based on peer-reviewed academic research. It is Ouroboros that uses the proof-of-stake protocol to mine coins. This means that rather than everyone mining new blocks all the time, the network elects a few nodes to mine the next block. For this reason, ADA is known as a 3rd generation cryptocurrency.
How To Start Trading Cardano
To start trading Cardano, you’ll need to select a trading broker that offers crypto. Popular platforms listing ADA include eToro, Coinbase and Gemini. There are a number of brokers that offer CFDs on cryptos which have benefits over owning the underlying asset, such as negating the requirement for an e-wallet to store your funds and are therefore the preferred choice for some traders. It’s worth shopping around for the best fees and features. Check our list for the most reliable Cardano brokers.
Regulated brokers are subject to Know Your Customer (KYC) identity checks. So you’ll often need to provide a form of ID and a photograph before you can trade any substantial amount. Once you’ve been verified, you can purchase Cardano through most payment methods, including wire transfer and credit/debit card.
Broker functionality is also vital. If you’re looking to start day trading Cardano, you’ll need a charting platform that suits your trading style and timeframes, as well as useful research tools and other features you want to use, such as copy or auto trading.
We’ve found TradingView to be a superb platform for day-trading Cardano (ADA), because it integrates research tools, strategy testing and social trading features on an attractive and easy-to-use platform. However many brokers for trading ADA use the time-tested MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 platforms, and these are still options I rate highly.
Cardano & Regulators
Like other crypto tokens, Cardano has historically existed in something of a grey area for regulators, with the entire crypto sector largely unregulated during its early years.
This has led to some restrictions and some lack of clarity for trading ADA. In the UK, for example, contracts for difference (CFDs) are not available for ADA and other crypto tokens since a 2020 ban by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Meanwhile, crypto exchanges have tended to exist in a regulatory grey area without strong regulatory oversight, though traders will find well regulated crypto brokers on the market.
The legal status of Cardano started to clear up as global regulators caught up with the burgeoning investment in crypto. The US Congress’ 2025 CLARITY act, for example, provided a clearer definition of ADA and other cryptocurrencies as “digital commodities“; in the same year, laws in Pakistan and Vietnam began to lay out regulatory frameworks for trading cryptocurrencies including Cardano.
Pros Of Trading Cardano
- Development – ADA is undergoing constant development to resolve issues that restrict ETH and BTC. The ‘Goguen’ roadmap details vast plans for improvement with the aim of adding the ability to build decentralized applications (DAPPS). This has included the addition of a multi-currency ledger, Native Tokens and NFT marketplace functionality. A 2018 memorandum of understanding with the government in Ethiopia explored the possibility of deploying ADA for use in the coffee and agritech sectors, illustrating the potential use cases of this crypto token.
- Scaleable – Because Cardano uses a POS chain, it is much more scalable than other coins. With Bitcoin, all holders are mining the crypto all the time, making it incredibly resource intensive. The ADA network is different because it nominates a holder to mine during an epoch slot (a period of time). If the holder does not show up or mine, someone else will be reelected instead. ADA owners can increase the likelihood of being nominated to mine by adding their share to a stake pool. In this way, ADA is more environmentally friendly and scalable than competitors.
- The internet of blockchains – Currently, cryptocurrency is limited because while there are numerous coins available, they require an intermediate broker to allow you to exchange them. ADA has released a multi-currency ledger as part of the Goguen update which will allow you to store multiple currencies on one blockchain. This means that exchanging Litecoin (LTC) for Polkadot (DOT) will soon be possible on the Cardano network, making the crypto market as decentralised as possible.
- Governance – Cardano’s fresh take on project governance puts the power in the hands of ADA holders. Individuals with a stake in ADA can vote on the future of the platform. Ideas go through funding rounds as part of Project Catalyst. ADA holders can vote on ideas such as the ability to earn staking rewards from your ADA holdings while also generating yield from DeFi protocols or new blockchain explorers. In this way, Cardano curates an ecosystem where the robustness of the network is put front and centre.
Cons Of Trading Cardano
- Capability – Despite ambitious development plans, Cardano has yet to release many capabilities. Ethereum already has smart contracts, the main focus of ADA’s development. There’s a lot of hype about Cardano being better than the rest, but much of this progress has yet to materialise.
- Traction – Some investors would say that the low price means room to grow. But Cardano has consistently underperformed compared to the top cryptocurrencies by market cap, and newer tokens like Solana (SOL) have amassed huge numbers of users while ADA has remained a relatively small-time player.
Security
Cardano is provably secure, meaning that it has been mathematically proven. This security is guaranteed as long as 51% of the stake is held by honest participants, which are achieved through random leadership selection. However, its reliance on this fact means that it is technically not immune to 51% attacks, like the one that left Ethereum Classic vulnerable in early 2019.
If this happened, the blockchain would have to be forked, which risks losing ledger information. Despite this, an attack of this scale is unlikely. Currently, a 51% stake in ADA would require over $20bn in capital, making it an expensive game for hackers to undertake.
Final Word On Trading Cardano
In conclusion, Cardano is a cryptocurrency with serious ambition. Its aim to resolve the faults that plague Bitcoin and Ethereum make it an attractive proposition for investors. With NFTs, Native Tokens and the so-called ‘internet of crypto’ all in the development pipeline, there’s a lot to be excited about. But it still has some way to go to match the adoption of the top tokens like BTC. Plus, the development of functionality has been slow. So, is Cardano a good investment for traders? That remains to be seen.
FAQ
Is Cardano Better Than Bitcoin?
Cardano developers have worked to overcome many of Bitcoin’s biggest faults. In particular, its proof-of-stake blockchain means reduced environmental impact vs BTC. The altcoin’s ambitions are vast, with smart contracts, native tokens and multi-currency ledgers in the pipeline. But, its market cap is much lower than Bitcoin, suggesting that adoption is not yet sufficiently strong to push it into the top tier.
What Is A Cardano Staking Pool?
A staking pool is a collection of Cardano holders that join together with the aim of being selected to stake the network. Staking is the process of validating transactions on the ADA blockchain. Those that do so can earn a return on their investment and so staking pools help coin holders maximise their returns.
Why Is The Cardano Ticker Symbol ADA?
Cardano’s founders named the ticker symbol after the mathematician Ada Lovelace. Lovelace is widely regarded as the first person to publish an algorithm that intended to be carried out by a machine.
Who Is The Founder Of Cardano?
Cardano was founded by Charles Hoskinson. Hoskinson was one of the co-founders of Ethereum but left following a disagreement about venture capital.
Is Cardano Decentralized?
Yes, Cardano is the world’s most decentralized cryptocurrency with over 21.75 billion ADA staked on the network which represents 69 per cent of its total circulating supply.