SEC ETF Delays Send ADA and AVAX Into Bearish Tailspin

Regulatory hesitation strikes again—Cardano and Avalanche take a hit as the SEC pumps the brakes on crypto ETF approvals.

Another day, another delay. The SEC’s trademark foot-dragging has traders dumping ADA and AVAX positions faster than a Wall Street banker exits a sinking ship. Both tokens bled double-digit percentages within hours of the news.

Funny how the ’protectors of market stability’ always manage to destabilize markets with their indecision. Meanwhile, institutional money sits on the sidelines—because nothing says ’mature asset class’ like watching regulators play peekaboo with approvals.

Short-term pain? Absolutely. Long-term opportunity? The smart money’s already positioning. History shows these pullbacks rarely last when fundamentals stay strong.

SEC delays Grayscale Avalanche Trust and Bitwise 10 Crypto Index Fund 

In a release note on Wednesday, the SEC announced a delay of 45 days to take decisive action on Nasdaq’s request to list and trade Grayscale Cardano Trust as an ETF. This shifts the deadline to July 15 from May 31. 

Similarly, the commission decided to delay the Bitwise 10 crypto Index Fund by 60 days, postponing the deadline to July 31 from June 1. 

Cardano and Avalanche print strikingly similar price action

Cardano and Avalanche are down by almost 14% over the last seven days, indicating a pullback phase in motion. ADA tests a crucial support trendline on the daily chart as it forms the third consecutive bearish candle. 

The previous lows on April 16 at $0.59 and May 6 at $0.64 FORM a short-term support trendline where the intraday candle struggles to hold above the waters. A daily closing below the trendline could lead to an extended decline to the next support level at $0.64. 

ADA/USDT daily price chart. Source: Tradingview

A bounce back in cardano could face overhead resistance at $0.84, a peak formed on May 10. 

Similarly, AVAX tests a short-term support trendline formed by the previous lows on April 7 at $14.66 and May 7 at $19.09. Avalanche trades at $21.80, experiencing an intraday loss of over 2% at press time, with the daily candle struggling above the support trendline. 

A closing below the trendline could plunge AVAX to $19.09, the next support level. 

AVAX/USDT daily price chart. Source: Tradingview

On the flip side, a reversal in Avalanche from the trendline could challenge the supply zone at $25.61. 

The momentum indicators suggest a significant drop in bullish momentum in Cardano and Avalanche. The Moving Average Convergence/Divergence (MACD) and its signal line are approaching the centre line after a recent bearish crossover. Furthermore, the Relative Strength Index (RSI) steps under the halfway line in both altcoins, reflecting a gradual increase in bearish momentum. 

Whales prefer Cardano over Avalanche in the short term

According to IntoTheBlock’s balance by holdings data, large Avalanche investors are dumping AVAX tokens over the last two weeks. Investors with 100K to 10 million AVAX tokens offloaded 3.03 million, reducing their holdings to 84.62 million. 

Balance by Holdings. Source: IntoTheBlock

However, confidence in Cardano grows as Santiment’s data reveals that whale holdings with 10 million to 100 million ADA tokens have witnessed an inflow of 220 million ADA tokens, resulting in a 36.16% rise. 

Cardano Supply Distribution Chart. Source: Santiment