The launch of the Cardano Card via the EMURGO–Wirex partnership enables ADA spending on the Visa network at global scale, positioning ADA for everyday transactions. This adds direct transactional utility — liquidity at point of sale and ATMs — that could influence demand and the price trajectory in the short and long term, affecting Wirex users, ADA holders, and the broader crypto market.
The Cardano Card allows Wirex users (around 6,000,000 accounts) to pay with ADA and more than 685 cryptoassets at merchants that accept Visa, with conversion to fiat at the moment of the transaction according to the EMURGO and Wirex statement. The offering includes ATM access, a cashback program of up to 8% in crypto, and reduced FX fees for international payments, expanding ADA’s usability for daily spending across borders.
The plan includes a non-custodial version for 2026, meaning the user retains control of their private keys rather than a third-party custodian. If adoption scales among Wirex users, the card could turn ADA into an everyday-use currency for millions, with on-ramps and off-ramps that reduce friction at merchants and cash withdrawal points.
Market projections and adoption outlook
Analysts’ 2025 projections cluster in a mid-range of $0.78–$1.36, with bullish scenarios around $1.25–$1.45 and outliers at $3.07 or $5.33. In the short term, adoption-driven momentum from the card could be a direct catalyst for demand, yet the current price around $0.56 and a Fear & Greed reading near 31/100 reflect caution; whale accumulation below $0.60 appears in cited records, adding ambivalent directional pressure.
For 2026, averages near $0.594 and optimistic highs of $2.19 are indicated, while 2030 estimates range from $0.341 to $10.32, with ultra-optimistic views of $15–$30 and some models extending to $69.33 toward 2040. These predictions link potential mass adoption of the card with network upgrades — such as Hydra’s ambition to reach 1 million TPS — and ADA’s fixed supply of 45,000,000,000, which in theory could introduce scarcity pressure if demand accelerates.
The card can increase transactional demand, improve liquidity, and raise regulatory exposure. If global adoption among Wirex users grows quickly, ADA could see upward pressure tied to real-world spending; without rapid adoption, the effect may be limited. As cross-border usage expands, compliance requirements are likely to intensify, shaping how quickly the utility translates into sustained market impact.
The next concrete milestone is the planned migration to a non-custodial version in 2026, and its execution — alongside the speed of adoption — will largely determine whether the Cardano Card converts new utility into a sustained appreciation of ADA.
