Cardano News Today: ETFs Turn to Alternative Coins While ADA Stumbles and XLM Gains Momentum with ISO Compliance

Institutional Momentum Builds for Cardano and Stellar

Cardano (ADA) and Stellar (XLM) are attracting increased attention from institutional investors as the cryptocurrency sector broadens and regulatory standards advance. Both networks have adopted the ISO 20022 messaging standard, making them appealing candidates for inclusion in prominent exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Franklin Crypto Index ETF Expands Holdings

On December 1, 2025, the Franklin Crypto Index ETF (EZPZ)—which previously only invested in Bitcoin and Ethereum—announced it would broaden its portfolio to include Cardano, Stellar, XRP, Solana, Dogecoin, and Chainlink. This decision reflects a growing trend among institutions to diversify into alternative cryptocurrencies, a shift supported by new regulations from the Cboe BZX Exchange and recent approval from the SEC. The ETF’s benchmark, the CF Institutional Digital Asset Index, now better represents current market preferences and regulatory developments by including these additional assets.

Cardano’s Institutional Significance and ISO 20022 Adoption

Cardano’s recognition as an ISO 20022-compliant asset on CoinMarketCap highlights its growing importance in institutional circles. The ISO 20022 protocol, widely used by banks and financial institutions for structured payments, positions Cardano as a key link between decentralized finance and traditional banking. Charles Hoskinson, Cardano’s founder, emphasized that ADA is the only smart contract-focused cryptocurrency in this category, setting it apart from XRP, which is primarily used for cross-border transactions. The global transition to ISO 20022 was completed in November 2025, with SWIFT’s Nicolas Stuckens reporting that 97% of payment instructions now use the standard and all G20 nations have made the switch.

Cardano Faces Market Headwinds

Despite its institutional appeal, Cardano’s price has recently experienced downward pressure. ADA has dropped nearly 31% from its monthly high and is down 63% from its 2025 peak. Technical signals suggest the possibility of a further decline toward $0.30. Key network metrics—including total value locked (TVL), application revenue, and active addresses—have all decreased, indicating reduced user engagement. Additionally, futures open interest has fallen from $1.95 billion in mid-September to $710 million, pointing to diminished speculative activity.

Stellar’s Positive Outlook and Ripple Integration

Stellar, on the other hand, is forecasted to perform strongly. Analysts anticipate that XLM could reach $1.29 by the end of 2025 and potentially climb as high as $6.19 by 2030, fueled by increasing institutional adoption of real-world asset (RWA) applications and cross-border payments. The integration of Ripple’s Interledger Protocol (ILP) with SWIFT’s ISO 20022 network may further enhance XLM’s utility. ILP uses XRP as a bridge asset, enabling faster and more cost-effective international settlements. While ISO 20022 does not require the use of XRP, its compatibility with Ripple’s infrastructure could drive greater adoption of the token within global banking systems.

Shaping the Future of Crypto Finance

The intersection of regulatory advancements and technological progress is transforming the digital asset landscape. The expansion of the Franklin ETF and the ISO 20022 compliance of Cardano and Stellar underscore the increasing acceptance of altcoins among institutional investors. Nevertheless, the market remains unpredictable—Cardano faces technical hurdles, while Stellar enjoys a more optimistic forecast. As privacy-focused technologies like Zero Knowledge Proofs gain traction, ISO 20022-compliant cryptocurrencies such as ADA and XLM are poised to play a crucial role in connecting decentralized platforms with traditional financial systems.