Why Cardano was trouncing other cryptos this weekend

The new model of what many consider to be a top "Ethereum killer" is about to be unveiled.

| More on:
Cardano cryptocurrency coin.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

What happened

Few people were hot on cryptocurrency investments this sweltering weekend; Cardano (CRYPTO: ADA) was one of the rare exceptions. After its co-creator nailed a concrete date for a major upgrade of the blockchain platform, investors traded it up through the weekend. As of mid-afternoon Sunday, its value had risen by 4% over the preceding 24 hours.

So what

Friday morning, Cardano's co-founder, Charles Hoskinson, announced that that upgrade is going to occur on Thursday, Sept. 22. It will take the form of a hard fork, i.e., a new, separate, and non-backward-compatible blockchain from the original, which is titled Vasil.

The pop in Cardano's value was due in no small part to a cocktail of relief and hope. Vasil's launch was originally scheduled for June and subsequently experienced more delays.

Cardano has attracted much investor interest since its launch in 2017. Hoskinson was a co-founder of Ethereum, currently the leader in decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts. Cardano is being developed basically to be a faster and more efficient dApp and smart contract platform.

According to a post on the site of Input Output Global, the so-called "driving force" behind Cardano, Vasil "will bring significant improvements using Cardano's hard fork combinator (HFC) approach and enhance the network's performance by increasing throughput, script efficiency, and reducing latency in block transmission."

Now what

Crypto investors have been starved of good news lately, with negative macroeconomic trends such as inflation favoring assets considered to be relatively safer and less speculative. With its creators' goal of making a low-friction blockchain, perhaps even one that can usurp Ethereum, Cardano is already a compelling crypto play. Fresh news of the impending upgrade is getting investors that much more excited about its prospects.

This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

Eric Volkman has positions in Ethereum. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on International Stock News

A man looking at his laptop and thinking.
International Stock News

Why Alphabet stock was sliding today

Let's take a look.

Read more »

A man looking at his laptop and thinking.
International Stock News

Nvidia's stock was down despite its amazing earnings. Here's what history says is coming next

Although it might seem to defy logic, it's not an uncommon phenomenon.

Read more »

A woman holds a soldering tool as she sits in front of a computer screen while working on the manufacturing of technology equipment in a laboratory environment.
International Stock News

Nvidia share price slips despite 94% revenue growth

Q3 earnings beat expectations, but what about guidance?

Read more »

high, climbing, record high
International Stock News

Could the S&P 500 Index hit 6,500 by the end of 2025?

Could the index climb higher?

Read more »

a small child holds his chin with his head on the side in a serious thinking pose against a background of graphic question marks and a yellow lightbulb.
International Stock News

Is it too late to buy Nvidia shares?

Is Nvidia stock a buy ahead of its third-quarter earnings report tomorrow?

Read more »

a group of people stand examining a large glowing cystral ball held in the hands of one of the group members while the others regard it with various expressions of wonder, curiousity and scepticism.
International Stock News

Here's what to expect from Nvidia on November 20

Can Nvidia score another win?

Read more »

Two people lazing in deck chairs on a beautiful sandy beach through their hands up in the air.
International Stock News

2 no-brainer Warren Buffett stocks to buy right now

While replicating Buffett's success isn't possible, there are a handful of his investments that are no-brainer buys.

Read more »

A man with a beard and wearing dark sunglasses and a beanie head covering raises a fist in happy celebration as he sits at is computer in a home environment.
International Stock News

3 reasons to buy Nvidia stock before November 20

This week marks a big moment for tech investors as perhaps the most anticipated earnings of the year will be…

Read more »