Charles Hoskinson reveals Cardano’s plan to integrate Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin

• Cardano’s RLUSD integration could enhance DeFi, driving adoption and stability
• ADA’s price drop has raised concerns about short-term market sentiment and recovery potential

Cardano’s [ADA] ecosystem is on the brink of a significant upgrade with founder Charles Hoskinson hinting at a planned integration of RLUSD, a move that could enhance its DeFi capabilities and expand its use cases.

However, despite the promising future this partnership offers, ADA has faced a challenging week, with its price dropping by 13% over the last seven days. This decline has contributed to a noticeable reduction in the number of ADA coins held in profit, raising concerns about the token’s short-term outlook even as its long-term prospects appear bright.

Cardano – The ecosystem and impact of RLUSD

In a recent post on X, Hoskinson spurred talks of integrating RLUSD into the Cardano ecosystem, stating,

“If there is a reasonable path to integrating RLUSD, I’ll try to cover it as a gift to the ecosystem. Cardano needs a solid stablecoin ecosystem from USDM and Djed to RLUSD.”

By adding RLUSD alongside existing stablecoins like USDM and Djed, Cardano could enhance its stability and liquidity, enabling broader adoption and use cases.

“We’ve already had a call with the RLUSD people. We are actively talking.”

This integration could also foster new partnerships and attract more developers, driving further growth in the ecosystem. Moreover, it could offer technical benefits, including scalability and reduced regulatory challenges, while positioning Cardano as a leading platform in the evolving DeFi space.

Price decline and market sentiment

Despite a 13% price drop over the past week, the number of active addresses has remained relatively stable – A sign that network engagement persists. However, a decline in activity towards the end of the week pointed to low transaction volume, likely due to market uncertainty.

Source: Santiment

The total supply in profit has sharply fallen too, indicating that a larger portion of ADA holders are now at a loss. This may affect investor sentiment and increase selling pressure.

While there may have been a slight recovery in price and activity, these metrics suggested that short-term market sentiment remains subdued. And, ADA’s price could face further challenges before a full recovery.

Read Cardano’s [ADA] Price Prediction 2025-26

A look at the price action

Source: TradingView

Cardano registered a strong rally in November and early December, reaching nearly $1.30. However, the subsequent correction led to consolidation between $0.90 and $1.00. At press time, ADA was trading at $0.962, showing signs of minor recovery amid ongoing market uncertainty. Immediate support was found around the $0.90-level, tested multiple times during consolidation, while the psychological resistance at $1 could limit upward movement in the short term.

The RSI indicated neutral momentum. This suggested that ADA could continue range-bound movement unless a strong catalyst emerges. In fact, trading volume has fallen too, when compared to previous rallies – A sign of reduced buying interest.

In terms of price predictions, a bearish scenario could see ADA retest the $0.90 support, with potential downside towards $0.85 or $0.80. Conversely, a break above $1 could trigger renewed bullish momentum, targeting $1.10 or even $1.20. However, consolidation between $0.90 and $1.00 remains a likely scenario in the short term.