Cardano (ADA) Surpasses Tron (TRX) and Dogecoin — Is a Return to the Top 5 in Sight?
Cardano (ADA) has surpassed Tron (TRX) and Dogecoin (DOGE) in market cap, reclaiming the 8th spot in the rankings. Up 14% this week, ADA is showing renewed momentum — but can it reclaim the top 5 it once held during the 2021 bull run?
ADA Back on the Rise: Up 14%, Tops TRX and DOGE
Cardano (ADA) is making a comeback.
With a 14% surge in the past week, ADA has overtaken both Tron (TRX) and Dogecoin (DOGE), reclaiming the 8th position in the global crypto market cap rankings.
Current valuation: $33.5 billion
Price: ~$0.97 (CoinGecko)
This outperformance comes despite broader market volatility — while XRP dropped 7%, ADA powered higher, signaling renewed investor confidence.
The move highlights a shift in sentiment:
From memes and politics to fundamentals and network growth.
A History of Peaks and Valleys
Cardano isn’t new to the spotlight.
In early 2018, during the first major crypto mania, ADA broke into the top 5 with a $18.5B market cap — impressive for a project still in early development.
But the 2018 bear market hit hard:
- Market cap collapsed to just $895M
- ADA fell out of the top 10
It spent much of 2019 in the #10–#13 range before slowly rebuilding.
Then came 2021 — and Alonzo.
The Alonzo hard fork launched in September 2021, bringing smart contracts to Cardano for the first time.
The result?
ADA surged to a $94B market cap, briefly becoming the third-largest cryptocurrency — ahead of Binance Coin (BNB) and behind only Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Can ADA Return to the Top 5? The Challenge Is Massive
Right now, BNB holds the 5th spot with a $115B market cap — more than 3x ADA’s current valuation.
To break back in, Cardano would need:
✅ Sustained price momentum (ADA would need to hit ~$2.80+)
✅ Accelerated DeFi and NFT growth
✅ Major institutional adoption
✅ Breakthrough dApps that capture global attention
While the network shows promise — with rising developer activity and on-chain growth — it still lags behind Ethereum, Solana, and BSC in real-world usage.
And with Solana, XRP, and even Dogecoin also vying for top-tier status, the race is tight.
Why ADA Is Gaining Ground Now
Recent momentum is fueled by:
🔹 Strong network fundamentals — increased transaction volume and staking participation
🔹 Growing DeFi ecosystem — platforms like Minswap, WingRiders, and Sundaeswap gaining traction
🔹 Developer momentum — over 1,200 GitHub commits in Q2 2025
🔹 Positive regulatory positioning — ADA’s research-driven, compliant approach appeals to institutions
Unlike meme coins, ADA’s value is tied to long-term execution — not hype.
Final Word: Top 8 Is a Start — But Top 5 Is a Mountain
Cardano reclaiming 8th place is a positive signal — but far from a breakout.
The $33.5B to $115B gap is wide, and BNB, XRP, and SOL aren’t standing still.
Still, if Cardano continues to:
- Deliver on its technical roadmap
- Expand its DeFi and NFT ecosystems
- Attract real-world utility and investment
…a return to the top 5 isn’t impossible — just not imminent.
For now, ADA’s climb is steady — not explosive.
But in crypto, patience often rewards the faithful.
