Cardano (ADA) Goes Live on Nubank – A Game-Changer for Crypto Adoption?

Cardano’s ADA token is now available on Nubank, a leading neobank backed by Berkshire Hathaway and serving over 100 million users across Latin America. This move expands ADA’s institutional exposure and could be a major catalyst for adoption in a region with growing crypto interest.

But why does this matter for Cardano, Nubank, and Latin America’s crypto market? Let’s break it down.

What Is Nubank and Why Does It Matter?

Nubank, founded in 2013 in Brazil, has become Latin America’s largest neobank, operating in Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia. Its user base has grown past 100 million, and it’s backed by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, which has invested over $1.5 billion in the company.

Nubank’s Crypto Expansion

Nubank entered the crypto market in 2022 with its Nubank Cripto platform, initially offering Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). Over time, it expanded its selection, adding tokens like Solana (SOL), XRP, and USDC.

By March 2025, Nubank announced the addition of:

• Cardano (ADA)
• NEAR Protocol (NEAR)
• Cosmos (ATOM)
• Algorand (ALGO)

This brings Nubank’s total crypto offerings to 20, showing its commitment to diversifying its portfolio.

Berkshire Hathaway’s Involvement – A Crypto Twist?

Warren Buffett has been one of crypto’s biggest critics, famously calling Bitcoin “rat poison squared.” But Berkshire Hathaway’s increased investment in Nubank (from 0.1% to 0.4%) shows that, indirectly, it’s supporting a financial institution embracing crypto.

Why Is This Huge for Cardano?

1. Direct Access to 100M+ Users

Nubank’s reach is far beyond most crypto exchanges. Many of its users are new to crypto, meaning this listing exposes ADA to a fresh audience.

2. Institutional Validation

Even though Buffett isn’t buying ADA himself, Nubank’s decision signals that major financial institutions see value in Cardano.

3. Boost in Liquidity & Adoption

More accessibility through Nubank increases ADA’s liquidity, especially in Brazil, where crypto adoption is rising.

4. DeFi & Ecosystem Growth

With Cardano’s smart contract platform (Plutus) gaining traction, Nubank’s listing could drive more use cases in Latin America’s crypto economy.

Market Impact – How Did ADA React?

The news of Nubank’s ADA listing triggered a slight price increase, with ADA hovering around $0.75–$0.76 in late March 2025.

Key Market Trends:

ADA saw an 8% price surge between March 23–25, 2025
12% increase in active wallets
78% rise in average holding time

Some analysts predict short-term targets of $0.80–$0.85, while others see potential for a long-term rally to $2.50–$12 based on adoption trends.

What This Means for Nubank & Latin America

1. Competitive Advantage

Nubank faces competition from Mercado Bitcoin, Binance, and other exchanges. Expanding its crypto offerings makes it more attractive to users looking for a one-stop financial platform.

2. Growing Crypto Adoption in Brazil

Brazil’s economy is volatile, and stablecoins already dominate 90% of crypto transactions in the region. Adding ADA could drive broader adoption beyond just Bitcoin and Ethereum.

3. Future Growth – What’s Next?

Nubank’s crypto executive, Thomaz Fortes, has hinted at more token additions in 2025. There’s also speculation that staking or DeFi features could be introduced, making ADA even more attractive.

Challenges & Risks

Regulatory Uncertainty – While Brazil is crypto-friendly, regulations could shift.
Competition – Nubank must compete with global crypto exchanges.
Volatility – ADA’s price fluctuations could affect new retail investors.

Despite these risks, Nubank’s scale gives Cardano a unique growth opportunity in one of the world’s fastest-growing crypto markets.

Final Thoughts – A Bullish Sign for ADA?

Cardano’s listing on Nubank is a significant step toward mainstream adoption in Latin America. With 100M+ potential new users, increased liquidity, and institutional validation, ADA could benefit significantly from this exposure.

The key questions now are:

• Will Nubank users embrace ADA?
• Could this set a trend for other major banks to adopt Cardano?
• How will ADA’s price respond in the coming months?

One thing is clear: Cardano just took a massive step toward real-world adoption.

What Do You Think?

Will Nubank’s listing push ADA to new highs?
Should other major banks follow suit?
Do you think Cardano has a strong future in Latin America?

Drop your thoughts in the comments!