Charles Hoskinson, CEO of Input Output Global and co-founder of Cardano (ADA), has publicly apologized to the XRP community, addressing past comments and misunderstandings that have fueled tensions between the two communities.
Speaking over the weekend, Hoskinson reflected on the personal and professional challenges he has faced as a public figure in the cryptocurrency industry. His address covered personal introspection, reconciliation, and a broader call for unity across cryptocurrency communities.
Hoskinson began by sharing insights from a week-long meditation retreat that included sessions on biofeedback, neurofeedback, and psychedelic therapy. This experience, he explained, allowed him to step back, reflect on his behavior, and evaluate his actions in response to the criticisms he’s faced over the years. Notably, he described the retreat as a much-needed break from the pressures of being a high-profile leader in the blockchain space. “It’s been a long year,” he said, reflecting on the highs and lows of his journey with Cardano.
During the video, Hoskinson addressed his interactions with the XRP community and apologized for past comments, acknowledging that they had created unnecessary tension.
“It was never my intent to say that XRP as an ecosystem should not exist,” he stated, recognizing the hardships that XRP and its holders have endured due to regulatory scrutiny, particularly from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He expressed empathy for XRP supporters, remarking that no one in the XRP community deserved the “horrors” imposed by what he referred to as “overzealous regulation.”
Hoskinson also alluded to the potential for collaboration between Cardano and XRP, as well as other blockchain ecosystems, and noted the importance of bridging gaps within the crypto space. This spirit of cooperation, he argued, would be beneficial for advancing the industry as a whole.
“There are many areas of potential collaboration… I’d love to find ways to build bridges and work with [the XRP community],” he noted. He specifically mentioned the possibility of interoperability with Cardano’s privacy-focused blockchain, Midnight, and hinted at involvement in the stablecoin projects within Ripple’s ecosystem.
In addition to his message to the XRP community, Hoskinson extended apologies to the broader Cardano and Bitcoin communities. He acknowledged that he has sometimes been defensive, especially in the face of relentless criticism, and vowed to approach his position with greater compassion and humility. Reflecting on his longstanding involvement in the industry, he reminded his audience that Bitcoin had laid the foundation for all subsequent blockchain developments, and he expressed regret over previous criticisms he directed toward Bitcoin maximalists.
Hoskinson’s message of cooperation across blockchain networks follows a broader call for unity within the crypto industry, particularly after Donald Trump’s recent presidential win. Despite Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen’s previous support for Kamala Harris, including a $1 million donation to her campaign, Ripple executives like CEO Brad Garlinghouse are now aligning with Trump in hopes that his administration could foster favorable crypto legislation and industry growth.
