Cardano’s (ADA) smart contracts launched in 2024, but by May 2025, ADA trades at $0.70, flatlining. Adoption lags—only 5% of dApps use its UTXO model, with 3,000 stake pools securing just 10% of DeFi TVL. Market reaction, a muted whisper, reflects skepticism; trading volume dropped 10%. ADA may hover at $0.65-$0.75 through Q3, as peer-reviewed tech fails to spark mass appeal. The blockchain’s pulse, a slow drum, lacks Ethereum’s fire. A breakout to $0.90 hinges on DeFi growth, a distant star. Cardano’s promise, a scholarly tome, gathers dust—its market, a quiet library, awaits a louder story.