Charles Hoskinson Criticizes Trump’s Crypto Moves, Warns of Political and Market Fallout

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has openly criticized President Donald Trump’s approach to cryptocurrency, calling it “frustrating” and warning that it has undermined years of bipartisan progress on U.S. crypto regulation. In a recent interview with Decrypt, Hoskinson said many industry leaders share his concerns but are afraid to speak out due to fears of losing political access and influence.

Hoskinson pointed specifically to Trump’s decision to launch a personal meme coin shortly before returning to the White House. According to the Cardano founder, that move fundamentally changed how digital assets are perceived in Washington. What had once been a fragile bipartisan effort to establish clear cryptocurrency regulations quickly became politicized, giving critics an easy narrative ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Hoskinson argued that the launch shifted the conversation from “crypto is bipartisan” to “crypto equals Trump, equals corruption,” damaging the industry’s credibility.

He also criticized the timing of World Liberty Financial, a crypto project launched by Trump, his family, and business associates during the campaign period. While Hoskinson acknowledged Trump’s right as a private citizen to pursue crypto ventures, he emphasized that the optics matter when the same individual is shaping regulatory policy. In his view, launching crypto projects before establishing a clear regulatory framework blurred the line between governance and personal interest, potentially inviting future investigations and subpoenas.

Hoskinson also took issue with Trump’s proposal for a U.S. crypto reserve that would include assets beyond Bitcoin, such as Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Cardano. He argued that expanding the reserve to altcoins amounts to government interference and market favoritism. Hoskinson believes the U.S. should simply retain the Bitcoin it has already seized through law enforcement actions, estimated at around 200,000 BTC.

After publicly voicing his opposition, Hoskinson said he was disinvited from a private Mar-a-Lago dinner with Trump and other crypto executives. Despite the personal and professional consequences, he said he does not regret speaking out, stressing that integrity matters more than political access. According to Hoskinson, government involvement in crypto markets carries real risks, as demonstrated by the sharp price spike in ADA following its proposed inclusion in the reserve, followed by significant declines.

Ultimately, Hoskinson maintains that long-term credibility and transparent regulation are essential for the future of cryptocurrency in the United States, even if telling uncomfortable truths comes at a cost.