On December 22, 2024, Charles Hoskinson, co-creator of Cardano, addressed the blockchain community in a candid and detailed livestream. Broadcasting from Colorado, Hoskinson shared insights on Cardano’s governance, partnerships, and technological advancements while reflecting on the year’s challenges and successes. He offered a roadmap for the evolution of Cardano and expressed his strong commitment to the community-driven principles at the heart of the ecosystem.
Hoskinson began his livestream by setting the tone for introspection, calling 2024 a transformative year for Cardano. The ecosystem faced numerous governance challenges, and Hoskinson did not hesitate to acknowledge the long-simmering philosophical disagreements between his company, Input Output Global (IOG), and the Cardano Foundation.
He stated unequivocally that such discussions were necessary to preserve the fundamental values of decentralization and community empowerment. For Hoskinson, these conflicts were not a distraction but a testament to the ecosystem’s determination to maintain transparency and integrity.
One of the central points of the speech was the current dispute over governance models. Hoskinson passionately reiterated his belief that the $600 million fund allocated for the development of Cardano must be controlled and directed by the community. He expressed disappointment in the Cardano Foundation’s refusal to adopt a community-elected board and its resistance to oversight, a stance he sees as antithetical to the principles on which Cardano was founded. “This is community money,” Hoskinson emphasized, framing the debate as one that extends beyond individual disagreements to the very soul of Cardano’s decentralized philosophy.
Hoskinson also used the platform to address misconceptions about Cardano’s ability to foster external partnerships. He rejected claims that internal disagreements hamper the ecosystem’s potential to collaborate with other blockchain entities. Citing ongoing partnerships with Polkadot, Hedera Hashgraph, and major industry players like Microsoft Azure, Hoskinson illustrated that Cardano’s innovative technology continues to attract interest and respect across the blockchain landscape. These partnerships, he stated, build on Cardano’s unique strengths in scalability, security and sustainability.
On the technology front, Hoskinson offered a comprehensive update on Cardano’s expanding ecosystem. He said the introduction of Plutus V4, which features zero-knowledge proofs, exemplifies the platform’s commitment to cutting-edge innovation. He highlighted the burgeoning Layer 2 ecosystem, pointing to projects like Midnight as key contributors to Cardano’s privacy and scalability ambitions.
Hoskinson acknowledged the developers working tirelessly to drive these advancements and described them as the lifeblood of the ecosystem. Hoskinson argued that the collaborative spirit of the Cardano builder community is what sets it apart from other blockchain platforms.
Throughout the broadcast, Hoskinson’s reflections were deeply personal and progressive. He acknowledged the difficulties Cardano has faced, from internal governance disputes to the broader challenges of fostering adoption in a competitive blockchain environment. However, he framed these struggles as opportunities for growth, celebrating the community’s resilience and the ecosystem’s ability to adapt. Hoskinson emphasized that despite the challenges, Cardano has made significant strides in adoption, with ADA now listed on over 200 exchanges and a growing number of developers leveraging its tools to create impactful applications. Hoskinson’s vision for 2025 is ambitious and strong.
He envisions a year in which Cardano strengthens its role as a leader in decentralized finance, governance, and blockchain innovation. He outlined his plans to participate in high-profile industry events such as Token 2049 and Rare Evo, which he believes will showcase Cardano’s technological capabilities and reinforce its position as a major player in the blockchain space. Hoskinson also expressed his desire to foster deeper connections within the ecosystem by investing in developer-focused initiatives and expanding educational outreach.
Ending on a note of unity, Hoskinson called on the Cardano community to move beyond petty disputes and focus on the shared mission of building an inclusive and decentralized future. He urged stakeholders to embrace the power of decentralization, reminding them that Cardano’s strength lies in its ability to empower individuals and communities. Hoskinson’s closing message was a rallying cry for collaboration and progress: “2025 has to be a year where we come together, innovate and show the world what Cardano can achieve.”
Featured image via Unsplash
