Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson delivered a forceful defense of cryptocurrency during a market downturn, urging investors to resist selling and characterizing exits to fiat currency as endorsement of institutional systems he described as fundamentally broken. In a video dated November 15 filmed in Colorado, Hoskinson acknowledged the market lost approximately $1 trillion in value since October but emphasized his experience weathering multiple boom-and-bust cycles as evidence that long-term holders ultimately prevail.

What to Know:

• Hoskinson argues crypto fundamentals remain unchanged despite the selloff, attributing volatility to leverage, manipulation and trader behavior rather than deteriorating asset quality.
• The Cardano founder predicts the cryptocurrency ecosystem will grow from 550 million current participants to 1 billion by 2030, with the majority of global stocks, bonds and equities migrating to blockchain systems by that timeframe.
• He framed continued investment in crypto as necessary for preserving individual autonomy, describing fiat monetary systems as exploitative and calling for blockchain-based governance and voting mechanisms.

Hoskinson Criticizes Panic Selling Amid Market Volatility

Reviewing long-term Bitcoin price charts, Hoskinson dismissed the emotional responses that accompany market swings. "It goes up, it goes down and everybody freaks the f*** out. Paper hands. So papery," he said, comparing himself to a calm amusement park rider reading a book while others scream during a violent drop.

The Cardano founder argued the recent selloff reflects trader psychology rather than deteriorating fundamentals.

"Have any of the fundamentals changed between now and a month ago or 12 months ago about crypto? Have any of the fundamentals changed? Any?" he asked. Instead, he pointed to leverage, manipulation and trader behavior as driving forces behind the decline.

Hoskinson contrasted crypto's stability with what he described as worsening macroeconomic conditions.

He cited rising US debt, declining trust in the dollar and escalating geopolitical tensions as evidence of systemic dysfunction. He described governments as "morally bankrupt, fiscally bankrupt, and […] destined for Armageddon."

He ridiculed investors selling cryptocurrency to hold dollars. "You paper hand sons of […] want to go exit into a currency that has nearly $40 trillion of debt," he said, questioning whether such exits merely fund car purchases, real estate transactions or credit card payments. He characterized this behavior as "collective Stockholm syndrome," arguing that people voluntarily return to institutions that exploit them.

Predictions for Mass Adoption and Institutional Transformation

"Crypto is the opt out. Crypto is the exit. Crypto is the solution," Hoskinson said. He described blockchain systems as providing "honest money," verifiable votes and auditable institutions where "no one can ever change the record to their own convenience."

Hoskinson claimed the cryptocurrency ecosystem currently includes 550 million people and predicted growth to 1 billion by 2030. He also forecast that "the majority of the world's stocks and bonds and equities will be in the cryptocurrency space by 2030." He suggested the asset class could reach $10 trillion in value driven by adoption and migration of traditional financial markets.

"Trillion doesn't even mean anything anymore. The dollar doesn't mean anything anymore. Everything ought to be priced in crypto because it's the only place left where there's a semblance of objectivity and honesty," he said.

The Cardano founder extended his criticism to fiat monetary creation, calling the existing system "a Ponzi scheme." "The money is worthless because when they print it, they use it themselves, extract all the value, get hard assets with it, and then dump the worthless […] on you, and your wages don't go up," he said. In contrast, he argued that cryptocurrency provides protection from arbitrary control: "No one can turn off your ADA. No one can turn off your Bitcoin. No one can turn off your Ether."

Hoskinson framed blockchain-based governance and transparency as essential for legitimate institutions. He claimed "no voting in the United States will ever be legitimate again until it's on a blockchain" and "no company in the United States will ever be fully legitimate, trustworthy, and honest until it's a DAO." He also highlighted privacy-focused technologies including Zcash, Monero and Cardano's Midnight sidechain, which he said offers "real privacy" and is being designed to be "fully programmable and soon to be postquantum."

Despite describing himself as "so thoroughly done" with market panic, Hoskinson said he continues building in the cryptocurrency sector because he believes it represents the only viable path to preserving individual autonomy. "There's a reason I'm still around and I haven't retired," he said. "I honestly still believe we can win."

Final Thoughts

His message to traders unsettled by declining prices was direct: "Hold the line. Bring people in. Get crypto going. Get the markets going again." He warned that selling cryptocurrency constitutes more than a financial decision, describing it as "voting to permanently live in that world" of surveillance and control. Cardano traded at $0.49 at press time.