Cryptocurrencies have had a rough year, with some major players down as much as 45% in 2025. While bargain hunters might be tempted to jump in, not every discounted digital asset is a smart buy. Three well-known cryptos—Cardano (ADA), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Litecoin (LTC)—have suffered steep declines, and there’s reason to believe they’re not done falling yet.
Cardano: A Government Hype Mirage?
Cardano saw a brief surge in early March after former President Donald Trump mentioned it in a Truth Social post about a potential U.S. national crypto strategic reserve. For a moment, it looked like a government-backed rally was on the horizon. That moment didn’t last.
On March 6, the reserve plan transformed into something less promising: the U.S. Digital Asset Stockpile. This shift left Cardano’s future uncertain. While any confiscated Cardano would still be part of the stockpile, the idea of the U.S. government actively purchasing ADA disappeared. The result? A sharp sell-off that erased gains almost as quickly as they appeared.
At its peak, Cardano once hit $3.10, but it now trades nearly 80% below that mark. Some optimistic traders are throwing out lofty $10 price targets, but history suggests otherwise. A rally of that magnitude seems like wishful thinking, especially in a market where speculation alone isn’t enough to sustain momentum.
Dogecoin: Meme Hype Isn’t Enough
Dogecoin has long been the internet’s favorite joke-turned-crypto, but its current situation is anything but amusing. The coin has been linked—erroneously—to Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Despite the catchy acronym, there’s no actual connection between Dogecoin and any cost-cutting government initiative.
Meme coins were once seen as a golden ticket to wealth, with some traders hyping up a “meme coin supercycle.” But reality has been less kind. The so-called Official Trump meme coin has plummeted 85% from its highs, while other meme tokens have shed 70% to 90% of their value this year alone.
- Dogecoin is down more than 45% in 2025.
- It has never traded above $1 in its entire history.
- The hype-driven rally expected by some traders has yet to materialize.
Even if Dogecoin manages occasional short-term rallies, the long-term case remains weak. With no real-world adoption outside of speculation, Dogecoin’s future remains shaky.
Litecoin: The ETF Hopes That May Not Pay Off
Litecoin found itself back in the spotlight in February after Bloomberg analysts pegged it as having a 90% chance of securing approval for a spot exchange-traded fund (ETF) by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). That optimism fueled a price jump, but since then, the outlook has become far less certain.
Crypto volatility remains a major concern, and if market instability continues, the SEC may hold off on approving any new crypto ETFs. Even if approval does come, demand might not be as strong as some hope. Bloomberg itself admitted that demand for a Litecoin ETF would likely be “comparatively low.”
Litecoin’s Price Swings in 2025
| Date | Price |
|---|---|
| February High | $130 |
| Current Price | $88.87 |
| 52-Week Range | $50.49 – $146.21 |
Litecoin briefly looked like a top-performing asset earlier this year, but the absence of government endorsements or institutional interest has left it struggling. At under $90, it’s far from its peak, and if sentiment worsens, it could slide further.
A Cautionary Note for Crypto Buyers
This doesn’t mean all beaten-down cryptos are lost causes. Bitcoin (BTC), for example, is down 14% this year but has a stronger long-term outlook compared to its riskier counterparts. However, buying any crypto just because it’s cheap can be a costly mistake. Cardano, Dogecoin, and Litecoin may have more pain ahead, making them assets to watch cautiously rather than buy impulsively.
