Cardano Day Trading 2025 – Tutorial & Brokers

Contributor Image
Written By
Contributor Image
Written By
Jemma Grist
Jemma is a writer, editor and fact-checker focused on retail trading and investing. Jemma brings a unique perspective to the forex, stock, and cryptocurrency markets and works across several investment websites as a researcher and broker analyst.
Contributor Image
Edited By
Contributor Image
Edited By
Tobias Robinson
Tobias is a partner at DayTrading.com, director of a UK limited company and active trader. He has over 25 years of experience in the financial industry and contributed via CySec to the regulatory response to digital options and CFD trading in Europe. Toby’s expertise and dedication to financial education make him a trusted voice in the industry, including a BBC investigation into digital options.
Contributor Image
Fact Checked By
Contributor Image
Fact Checked By
William Berg
William contributes to several investment websites, leveraging his experience as a consultant for IPOs in the Nordic market and background providing localization for forex trading software. William has worked as a writer and fact-checker for a long row of financial publications.
Updated

Cardano, also known as the Japanese Ethereum, is one of the most popular crypto coins by market cap. But what is Cardano and how does it work? 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 future price forecasts. We’ve also listed some of the best brokers for trading Cardano.

Cardano Brokers & Exchanges

Here is a summary of why we recommend these brokers in May 2025:

  1. Dukascopy - Dukascopy facilitates day trading on popular cryptos like Bitcoin against the US Dollar. You can go long or short with leverage up to 1:5. Unusually, clients of Dukascopy are also protected to the tune of CHF 100'000 in the event of brokerage insolvency.
  2. 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.
  3. Uphold - You can buy and sell 250+ crypto assets with fiat currencies or in crypto pairs using the straightforward mobile app or through Uphold's browser-based account homepage. This is significantly more than many rivals. You can also earn up to 16% APY by staking one or more out of 32 valid tokens, or send tokens to an external wallet.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

Dukascopy

"If you’re an experienced trader, Dukascopy provides the tools you need: JForex for algorithmic strategies, competitive spreads from 0.1 pips, leverage up to 1:200, and the peace of mind of using a Swiss-regulated bank and broker."

Christian Harris Christian Harris, Reviewer

Dukascopy Quick Facts

Bonus Offer10% Equity Bonus
CoinsADA, AVE, BAT, BCH, BTC, CMP, DSH, ENJ, EOS, ETH, LNK, LTC, MAT, MKR, TRX, UNI, XLM, YFI
Crypto MiningNo
Auto Market MakerNo
Crypto Spread0.1
Crypto LendingNo
Crypto StakingNo
PlatformsJForex, MT4, MT5
Minimum Deposit$100
RegulatorFINMA, JFSA, FCMC
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, NZD, JPY, ZAR, TRY, SEK, NOK, DKK, CHF, HKD, SGD, PLN, CZK, AED, SAR, HUF, MXN

Pros

  • Dukascopy is regulated by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) as both a broker and a bank, ensuring top-tier financial security and adherence to strict standards.
  • The proprietary JForex platform is highly advanced, offering tools for algorithmic trading, extensive charting, and access to deep liquidity for short-term traders.
  • Dukascopy features some of the best research we’ve seen, even a professional TV studio in Geneva covering financial news, market analysis, and daily insights from professionals.

Cons

  • While Dukascopy provides some educational resources and 24/7 support, the complexity of its platforms and tools required extensive testing and may overwhelm newer traders.
  • Some account types, such as the MT4/MT5 accounts, require a higher minimum deposit of $1,000, which may not be ideal for traders with smaller budgets.
  • Dukascopy's withdrawal fees are higher than most competitors we’ve tested, particularly for bank wire transfers, which may deter traders who require frequent access to their funds.

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 Tobias Robinson, Reviewer

CEX.IO Quick Facts

CoinsZRX, 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 MiningYes
Auto Market MakerNo
Crypto Spread0.15% maker & 0.25% taker (Standard)
Crypto LendingYes
Crypto StakingYes
PlatformsTradingView
Minimum Deposit$20
RegulatorGFSC
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP

Pros

  • CEX.IO continues to offer competitive pricing with 0.01% taker and 0% maker fees for high-volume traders
  • Crypto leverage is available up to 1:3
  • The $20 minimum deposit makes the broker accessible for beginners

Cons

  • It's a shame that there's no demo account for traders looking to practice strategies
  • A maintenance fee applies after 12 months of no activity
  • The broker has limited regulatory oversight

Uphold

"Uphold remains a top choice for crypto investors looking for a one-stop-shop solution to accessing the markets. There are over 250 tokens to buy, sell and trade through flexible platform options."

William Berg William Berg, Reviewer

Uphold Quick Facts

CoinsBTC, BTCO, AAVE, ALCX, DYDX, INH, XYO, API3, GHST, LSK, AUDIO, GLMR, NMR, CAKE, GODS, REQ, CHR, TRB, DAO, ROOK, XRP, ETH, BAT, ADA, ALGO, ATOM, AVAX, AXS, BCH, BAL, BTG, CSPR, COMP, CRV, DASH, DCR, DGB, DOGE, DOT, EGLD and many more
Crypto MiningNo
Auto Market MakerNo
Crypto SpreadUp to 1.5%
Crypto LendingNo
Crypto StakingYes
PlatformsDesktop Platform, Mobile App
Minimum Deposit$0
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP

Pros

  • Uphold continues to remain ahead of the industry, often being one of the first platforms to list new crypto tokens
  • Uphold is 100% reserved which helps to protect client funds
  • Fees are competitive based on tests, with 26 underlying platforms helping to source the best prices

Cons

  • There is a 2.49% fee if you want to use debit or credit cards
  • Customer service is slow based on tests, with limited contact options
  • The charting analysis features on the platform trail specialist exchanges

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."

Michael MacKenzie Michael MacKenzie, Reviewer

Gemini Quick Facts

CoinsBTC, 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 MiningNo
Auto Market MakerNo
Crypto SpreadTransaction fee from $0.99
Crypto LendingYes
Crypto StakingYes
PlatformsActiveTrader, AlgoTrader, TradingView
Minimum Deposit$0
RegulatorNYDFS, MAS, FCA
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, HKD, SGD

Pros

  • The TradingView integration delivers top-quality tools, including backtesting and algo trading capabilities
  • The trading app features a user-friendly, modern design and intuitive interface, with an excellent range of charting tools for day traders
  • There is a decent range of educational guides and tutorials suitable for beginners

Cons

  • The 'convenience fee' for using the mobile app seems arbitrary and makes it inefficient to use this feature
  • There is no practice profile or demo account for prospective traders
  • There are high fees for some funding methods including a 3.49% fee for card transactions

Kraken

"Kraken will suit traders looking for a diverse list of cryptos including Bitcoin and a good security track record."

William Berg William Berg, Reviewer

Kraken Quick Facts

Bonus OfferLower fees when trading volume exceeds $50,000 in 30 days
CoinsAAVE, 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 MiningNo
Auto Market MakerNo
Crypto Spread0-0.26% average
Crypto LendingNo
Crypto StakingYes
PlatformsAlgoTrader, Quantower
Minimum Deposit$10
RegulatorFCA, FinCEN, FINTRAC, AUSTRAC, FSA
Account CurrenciesUSD, EUR, GBP, CAD, AUD, JPY, CHF

Pros

  • Low exchange fees on Kraken Pro
  • Very good security track record with no hacks in a decade since launch
  • Low minimum deposit of $10

Cons

  • Does not accept fiat deposits
  • Low leverage on spot trading
  • Slow verification times

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 Christian Harris, Reviewer

InstaTrade Quick Facts

CoinsBTC, ETH, XRP, LTC, SOL, UNI, DOGE, BCH, FIL, ADA, DOT, LINK
Crypto MiningNo
Auto Market MakerNo
Crypto LendingNo
Crypto StakingNo
PlatformsInstaTrade Gear, MT4
Minimum Deposit$1
RegulatorBVI FSC
Account CurrenciesUSD, 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.
  • InstaTrade TV, consisting of video interviews and valuable market insights spanning equities, cryptos and more, helps identify opportunities and inform short-term trades.
  • InstaTrade claims to "guarantee" returns through the structured element of its passive trading solution (FISP), with applications approved within 24 hours.

Cons

  • 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 is registered in the offshore jurisdiction of the British Virgin Islands, resulting in limited regulatory safeguards for retail investors.
  • 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.

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.

The coin launched in 2017. After its first round of investment, Cardano went public via an initial coin offering (ICO) with a market cap of $600 million, sparking interest within the community. The crypto is now worth over $48 billion and continues to beat its highest price record on a weekly basis.

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.

Trading Cardano

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.

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. 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 broker that offers crypto. Popular platforms listing ADA include eToro, Binance, 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 on offer. Many crypto brokers also offer joining bonuses to new traders.

How to start trading Cardano

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 likely be interested in the live 1-minute and 1-hour charts. For those looking for more long term investments, you can use the likes of Yahoo Finance and Google Trends to view charts over 5 years.

Pros Of Trading Cardano

Cons Of Trading Cardano

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.

Price Prediction Tips

Since its ICO in 2017, there has been continued speculation around if and when Cardano will reach the $2, $3 and $4 mark.

Historically, the price has been fairly stable, hovering at around 10c or less since the first crypto bull run in 2017. But interest in the currency sparked again when the 2020 crypto breakout took off. This continued throughout February and March 2021, when the news that the Goguen release was confirmed, leading ADA to break the 1 dollar mark.

The latest long-term price prediction is that Cardano will continue to rise, as the crypto market becomes increasingly cemented and its long-term developments begin to materialise.

Cardano price forecasts

The forecast for 2025 is healthy. In general, predictors’ outlook suggests a continued bullish market for the next year is likely. However, beyond that, 5 and 10-year price predictions become much murkier. Some speculators think a bearish trend is due, just like the one seen after the 2017 surge. Others believe that ADA will reach 40 dollars by 2030. While the future is uncertain, the piqued interest in crypto means that volatility is likely.

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 altoins 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.