How to Buy Cardano | Buy ADA in 4 Steps (October 2025)

Cardano (ADA +4.88%) is a public blockchain and Dapp development platform. The platform earned international media attention as the first blockchain to incorporate a peer-reviewed research strategy into its core principles.  Today, ADA is one of the top cryptocurrencies in the world.

To learn more, visit our Investing in Cardano guide.

How to Buy Cardano (ADA) in 4 Steps

1. Uphold

A top exchange in the United States, Uphold is an experienced and extremely innovative trading platform that should be able to meet your needs for trading across a number of cryptocurrencies, including Cardano (ADA). Beyond the ease of use and innovative features within the trading platform, what stands out about Uphold is the credibility it has gained in the industry.

Uphold offers an extremely intuitive trading experience on both desktop and mobile apps. The trading view is completely customizable with the assets that you trade the most and is very easy to navigate while providing a modern feel on both desktop and mobile. It is a very popular and suitable choice, particularly for new traders.

Besides being visibly appealing, the Uphold trading platform allows you to place your trades with great ease. With just a couple of clicks, you can make trades directly from your deposit method without even having to wait for funds to clear your account. This one-step ordering is another innovation from a company that prides itself on the usability of its platform. Uphold also provides the ability to execute limit orders.

Germany & Netherlands residents are prohibited.

Read our Uphold Review or visit Uphold.

Uphold Disclaimer: Terms Apply. Cryptoassets are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk. Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment, and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.

2. Coinbase

Coinbase (COIN +1.5%), established in 2012, is a leading platform for buying, selling, and managing over 250 cryptocurrencies. As a Nasdaq-listed company, Coinbase offers users transparency and trust. The platform supports advanced trading tools, zero trading fees for Coinbase One members, and rewards programs that allow users to earn up to $400. With $226 billion traded quarterly, Coinbase is a major player in the global crypto market.

Coinbase operates in over 100 countries, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States (excluding Hawaii). With top-tier security, cold storage, and educational tools, it’s a trusted platform for both beginners and advanced traders. Accessible, secure, and user-friendly, Coinbase is a global leader in crypto management.

Read our Coinbase Review or visit Coinbase.

3. Kraken

Founded in 2011, Kraken is one of the most trusted names in the cryptocurrency industry. It has over 13,000,000 users and over $207 billion in quarterly trading volume.

From humble beginnings, Kraken now offers over 400 digital assets, including Cardano (ADA). For more sophisticated investors, Kraken also offers futures and margin trading.

Kraken has continued to evolve its platform and commitment to the industry by being one of the first exchanges to offer buying opportunities on new tokens.

Kraken provides trading access in over 190 countries, including Australia, Canada, Europe, and the United States (excluding Maine, and New York).

Kraken Disclaimer: Not investment advice. Crypto trading involves risk of loss. Payward European Solutions Limited t/a Kraken is authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland.

Read our Kraken Review or visit Kraken.

4. Binance

Binance is one of the world’s largest and most well-known cryptocurrency exchanges. The benefits of purchasing Cardano (ADA) here are lower fees than competing exchanges and increased liquidity, enabling you to buy and sell quickly to take advantage of market-moving news.

Use Discount Code: EE59L0QP for 10% cashback on all trading fees.

This exchange is best for investors residing in Australia, Singapore, the UK, and internationally. Canadian and USA residents are prohibited.

Read our Binance Review or visit Binance.

5. KuCoin

KuCoin is a well-known name in the industry and one of the most competitive when it comes to fees and trading costs. The exchange has grown exponentially from its early days of offering only crypto-to-crypto trading. It now offers a varied range of services, including a P2P exchange capability and purchasing with credit or debit cards.

KuCoin currently offers Cardano (ADA) cryptocurrency trading and over 300 other popular tokens. It is often the first to offer buying opportunities for new tokens.

USA Residents are Prohibited.

Read our KuCoin Review or visit KuCoin.

6. Gate.io

Established in 2013, Gate.io has grown into a reputable trading platform.  While it is not the most popular exchange, it provides users with an easy-to-use interface for beginners while maintaining robust and advanced charts for various skill levels – including technical traders. The exchange boasts many altcoins, including Cardano (ADA), and is often the first exchange to add new tokens. Notably, Gate.io maintains a strong stance against any type of market manipulation.

This exchange currently accepts Australian & UK residents.

USA & Canada residents are prohibited.

Read our Gate.io Review or visit Gate.io.

7. iTrustCapital – Custodial & IRA (USA Exclusive)

iTrustCapital provides U.S.-based investors with access to both tax-advantaged crypto IRAs and institutional-grade custodial services. The platform supports Traditional, Roth, and SEP IRA structures, allowing individuals to invest in assets like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and precious metals while preserving the tax benefits of retirement accounts. Assets are held securely by a qualified custodian and stored using trusted infrastructure partners.

In addition to retirement-focused accounts, iTrustCapital also offers a Premium Custody Account (PCA) for investors who want to hold digital assets in a non-IRA, taxable environment. This custodial option uses the same high-level security architecture but is designed for users who don’t need the tax benefits or contribution limits associated with IRAs. The PCA restricts crypto withdrawals to external wallets, creating a closed-loop system that prioritizes asset protection.

Whether you’re looking to build a long-term crypto retirement portfolio or simply want secure custody outside of an IRA, iTrustCapital delivers a robust and U.S.-compliant solution.

Visit iTrustCapital or learn What is a Bitcoin IRA?

What is Cardano (ADA)?

Cardano is a blockchain-based network, which utilizes its own native token, ‘ADA’.

Cardano touts itself as the first network of its kind to be ‘peer-reviewed’.  This means that prior to any changes being implemented to the network, a growing global group of respected scientists, from various fields, assess any proposed upgrades.

Is Cardano Legitimate?

Cardano shares some of the same founding team as the original Ethereum protocol, and is generally considered to be a legitimate project. Cardano was founded by Charles Hoskinson, one of the co-founders of Ethereum, in 2015. He created Cardano with the goal of building a more scalable, secure, and sustainable blockchain platform. The development of Cardano is overseen by Input Output Global (IOG), the company Hoskinson leads, which focuses on rigorous academic research and peer-reviewed protocols to ensure the platform’s reliability and innovation. Cardano’s native cryptocurrency is ADA, named after Ada Lovelace, a 19th-century mathematician considered one of the first computer programmers.

What does it do?

Through the use of its native token, ADA, users gain the ability to transact directly with others.  This means that there is no need for a third-party ‘middleman’.  Rather, users have the ability to transact peer-to-peer.

In time, the Cardano network is scheduled to support a wide variety of decentralized applications.

How does Cardano (ADA) work?

Cardano functions through the use of a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) model.  This means that the network does not make use of miners, as seen in networks like Bitcoin.  Instead, any network participant holding ADA –known as stakeholders- in a supported wallet, has the ability to validate transactions.  Rewards for this vary, based upon the size of one’s holdings.

Through the use of a unique approach, named Ouroboros, Cardano adds a new layer to PoS.  This is done through stakeholder pools.  For those utilizing this option, holding rights can be pooled with others, allowing for a ‘stake pool manager’ to manage block production.

Projected Developments?

Development of the Cardano network is a multi-stage process, which has only just begun.  Named after famous and influential scientists, philosophers, and more, there are 5 main markers along the Cardano roadmap.  These are,

1. Byron – This first stage of development surrounds establishing the foundation of the network, preparing it for the growth expected in the coming years.
2. Shelley – Once a solid foundation is built, this second stage is expected to bring changes, surrounding/increasing decentralization of the network.
3. Goguen – When sufficient decentralization of the network has occurred, stage 3 will bring the capability for the network to support smart contracts and dApps.
4. Basho – The fourth stage of the Cardano roadmap will see developments surrounding the scalability and interoperability of the network.
5. Voltaire – As the fifth and final stage currently planned, it will concentrate on the implementation of a new governance model. The goal of which is to make the network self-sustaining.  This will be achieved through various upgrades, such as the implementation of, both, a voting and treasury system.

Underlying Ideology?

For Cardano, it would appear as though the network is being built to offer much of the same capabilities of rivals, such as Ethereum.  The difference, however, is an emphasis being placed on a few traits.

• Environmental impact – Many networks have recognized the negative impact that energy-intensive protocols, like proof-of-work, can have. By utilizing PoS in the manner that Cardano has chosen, the network requires significantly less power to operate.
• Openness and transparency – Cardano indicates that as a peer-reviewed blockchain, network participants benefit from more than just a well-built product. They also benefit from new levels of openness and transparency in their operations, and the direction/progression of the network.

Acceptance and Controversies?

To date, Cardano has had minimal levels of both acceptance and controversy.

While the network’s native token, ADA, can be found on many exchanges, this is arguably the biggest adoption seen, thus far.  Until smart-contract capabilities go live on the network, this will most likely remain the case.

To date, the Cardano network has managed to avoid most controversies.  The most commonly noted issue with the network is the lack of decentralization.  As mentioned before, this is expected to change with the implementation of stage 2 on the Cardano roadmap.

There are a select few that have raised issues with, what they call, ‘plausible assumptions’, made in the Cardano whitepaper.  Essentially, the foundation of the Cardano network was built with various assumptions on how it will adapt to future levels of adoption.  Some are believers, while others are not fully convinced that the network will function as intended.

Regulation?

To date, there have not been any official statements made on Cardano by regulators.  As a result, the project does remain in somewhat of a regulatory ‘limbo’.

Unless an official statement is made, otherwise, there remains a chance that ADA will be viewed as a security.  Those that believe this may be the case, typically provide two points for their argument.

1. The network is not decentralized at this point.
2. While restricted to U.S. residents, Cardano was initially funded through an ICO.

Who Made It?

In 2017, Cardano was launched by Charles Hoskinson.  As a co-founder of Ethereum, Hoskinson brought immediate clout and intrigue to the project, and its native token ‘ADA’.

Latest Cardano (ADA) News and Performance