Cardano’s progress in smart contract functionality has positively impacted ADA’s value. With the introduction of its Alonzo hard fork, Cardano now supports smart contracts, enabling it to compete more directly with Ethereum in DeFi and other blockchain applications. Cardano’s focus on research-driven development and scalability positions it as a strong contender. However, it faces challenges in attracting developers and users from Ethereum’s established ecosystem. While ADA’s value benefits from these advancements, its long-term success depends on the execution of its roadmap and the ability to build a vibrant developer community.