Hoskinson Blasts Trump’s Crypto Ventures for Undermining Bipartisan US Regulation Push

Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano, just threw a grenade into the political arena. His target? Former President Donald Trump's recent cryptocurrency ventures.

The Bipartisan Dream, Dashed

For years, crypto advocates worked both sides of the aisle. The goal was clear: a clear, predictable regulatory framework from Washington. Progress was slow, but whispers of a rare bipartisan consensus began to surface. Then, the political calculus shifted.

When Politics Meets Portfolio

Hoskinson argues that Trump's direct entry into the crypto space—through ventures, endorsements, and token promotions—didn't just change the conversation. It poisoned the well. What was a policy discussion about innovation and consumer protection suddenly got wrapped in campaign rhetoric and partisan loyalty tests. The delicate, wonky work of crafting legislation got sidelined by the spectacle of a political figure monetizing the movement.

The result? The fragile coalition pushing for sensible U.S. regulation fractured. Lawmakers who were once engaged on the merits now view crypto through a purely political lens—either as a weapon to wield or a threat to their party's standing. It's the ultimate finance-sector irony: a quest for legitimacy undermined by someone seeking to profit from its chaos.

The Road Ahead Looks Rocky

So where does this leave the industry? In a tougher spot. The path to clear rules just got longer and more winding, tangled in the barbed wire of election-year politics. The market hates uncertainty more than it hates bad news, and Hoskinson's comments highlight a new, profound layer of it. The hope for a unified American approach to crypto regulation now looks like just another asset pumped and dumped by political opportunism.

Hoskinson cautions about Trump’s move in the crypto industry 

Earlier, when Trump decided to launch his own meme coin just three days after being sworn in as the US president, Hoskinson issued a warning, claiming that this move could significantly harm the cryptocurrency industry, particularly in the United States.

At this time, he noted that what was initially perceived as a careful and bipartisan effort to establish straightforward regulations for digital assets in America had swiftly turned into a partisan issue. 

This situation presented a significant obstacle to crucial legislation and provided a convenient target for critics in the cryptocurrency industry. At this particular moment, the 2026 midterm elections were drawing closer.

“The moment the TRUMP coin was introduced, the perception shifted from ‘crypto is bipartisan’ to ‘crypto means Trump, which is bad and corrupt,’” Hoskinson explained further, noting that the situation changed into a campaign slogan for the midterm elections scheduled next year.

Hoskinson called on other crypto founders to weigh in on the topic of discussion. However, very few of them voiced this view. This shocked the cardano founder. According to him, these crypto founders were instructed not to comment on this matter. 

He added that they were threatened that if they said anything about it, their access WOULD be cut short. This meant that one would not have the opportunity to participate in the legislative process or meet with Trump.

Hoskinson admitted that many individuals initially accepted this idea. Nonetheless, he highlighted that the US president’s connection to the crypto ecosystem ultimately blurred the line between policy and personal interests, thereby harming the industry’s image in Washington. This MOVE came at a time when lawmakers were discussing strategies to regulate digital assets. 

Following this outcome, Hoskinson claimed that Trump caused a significant shake-up in the crypto market, arguing that he could be called to testify if Democrats regained power.

Hoskinson disapproves of Trump’s World Liberty Financial project 

Even before the introduction of the meme coin, Trump, his family members, and business partners initiated a big crypto project known as World Liberty Financial. At that time, he was still holding campaigns and making pledges for the upcoming November election. 

The Cardano founder raised concerns regarding this crypto project. According to him, the timing set for this initiative was questionable. Hoskinson argued that as a private citizen of the United States, he can perform such actions, but he must also consider the fact that people are still watching his decisions. 

“You shouldn’t just jump into something and then create rules around it. You should set up the rules first and then proceed according to those guidelines. So I’m not saying to avoid launching the Trump coin or World Liberty; just make sure to do it within the new guidelines.” 

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