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- PayPal has officially made Solana the default network for PYUSD to leverage faster speeds and lower fees.
- Cardano is launching USDCx by late February to fix its $40M stablecoin liquidity shortage.
- Despite strong fundamentals, $SOL and $ADA prices remain flat as traders wait for actual usage data.
Major fundamental news is typically the fuel for explosive price action. However, the latest milestones for Solana (SOL) and Cardano (ADA) have met a surprising wall of silence. Despite massive ecosystem upgrades aimed at institutional adoption and liquidity, both tokens are trading sideways, leaving investors to wonder if the market has reached a point of “update fatigue.”
PayPal Bets Big on Solana Speed
The most significant development comes from payments giant PayPal, which recently designated Solana as the default blockchain for its stablecoin, PayPal USD (PYUSD). While the asset was originally built on Ethereum, PayPal’s pivot highlights a clear preference for Solana’s high-throughput architecture and minimal transaction costs.
By making Solana the primary network, PayPal is effectively streamlining global payments, moving away from the high-fee environment of traditional Layer 1s. While this move solidifies Solana’s reputation as the “Visa of crypto,” the price of SOL has remained remarkably stagnant. Analysts suggest that because the integration was a gradual process rather than a sudden shock, the value may already be baked into the current market price.
Cardano’s Quest for Liquidity via USDCx
While Solana refines its payment rails, Cardano is tackling its “Achilles’ heel”: stablecoin liquidity. With less than $40 million in stablecoins currently on-chain, Cardano has long struggled to compete with the multi-billion dollar DeFi ecosystems of its rivals.
Also Read: Cardano Weakens as Whales Split — But Michael Saylor Signals New Bitcoin Buy
To bridge this gap, the network is set to launch USDCx by the end of February. Co-authored by Philip DiSaro of Anastasia Labs, the CIP-113 upgrade introduces a programmable version of USDC backed 1:1 by reserves. This move, combined with the integration of the LayerZero protocol, aims to transform Cardano from an isolated ecosystem into an interconnected DeFi hub. Yet, much like Solana, ADA’s price has failed to react, underperforming even as the technical roadmap becomes clearer.
A “Wait and See” Market
The lack of immediate price movement for both assets suggests a shift in trader psychology. In 2026, “partnerships” and “upgrades” are no longer enough to trigger FOMO. Instead, the market appears to be waiting for on-chain proof.
For Solana, success will be measured by the actual volume of PYUSD transactions processed. For Cardano, the test lies in whether USDCx can actually attract the hundreds of millions in liquidity needed to revive its DeFi sector. Until these metrics move, SOL and ADA may remain in a holding pattern, proving that in a mature market, real-world utility matters more than headlines.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses.
I’m a crypto enthusiast with a background in finance. I’m fascinated by the potential of crypto to disrupt traditional financial systems. I’m always on the lookout for new and innovative projects in the space. I believe that crypto has the potential to create a more equitable and inclusive financial system.
