Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson highlighted the irony of being seen as the project’s villain by those who simultaneously praise the Cardano Foundation.
Hoskinson’s comments come in response to allegations from a Stake Pool Operator (SPO) who accused him of diverting funds from the Cardano treasury to finance other ventures.
The accusation quickly gained traction within the community. One member questioned why the SPO chose to single out Hoskinson instead of also criticizing the Cardano Foundation. This user suggested that the Foundation continues to earn returns on staked ADA without contributing significantly to the broader Cardano ecosystem.
In response, the SPO argued that the Cardano Foundation is not the problem, as it has been cooperative and easy to work with—particularly in developing the network’s protocols. However, the SPO claimed that the friction between Input Output Global (IOG) and the Cardano Foundation stems from Hoskinson himself.
Hoskinson Reacts
As the discussion unfolded, Hoskinson responded by highlighting what he sees as a growing pattern of inconsistency and negativity within certain segments of the Cardano community.
In a sarcastic remark, he said he finds it amusing that people label him as the project’s antagonist who should step away, even as they continue to praise the Cardano Foundation.
He suggested that this inconsistency is quickly becoming part of the community’s culture, particularly among critics. His statement subtly reflects his frustration with what he perceives as a mischaracterization of his role and intentions.
Love seeing the “Charles is the enemy of Cardano and he needs to leave” followed by “We have a great time working with the CF”
See how the culture propagates… https://t.co/0ArkYPpotA
— Charles Hoskinson (@IOHK_Charles) October 16, 2025
Ongoing Dispute Between IOG and Cardano Foundation
For context, Hoskinson’s company, IOG, and the Cardano Foundation have been at loggerheads for years, with both sometimes disagreeing publicly over the use of funds in the treasury.
Earlier this year, the Cardano Foundation proposed a 31 million ADA reduction to Intersect’s 2025 ecosystem budget. Notably, most of the cuts were directed at core development funding originally allocated to Hoskinson’s company.
In response, some users believed that the Cardano Foundation made the proposal to undermine IOG’s developmental efforts—an interpretation Hoskinson agreed with.
Last month, after an audit cleared Hoskinson of allegations relating to the misappropriation of $600 million worth of unredeemed ADA vouchers, he called on his critics, including the Cardano Foundation, to issue an apology.
He also criticized the Foundation’s board last year, describing it as unelected and unaccountable. Hoskinson also claimed its members intended to vote against the ecosystem’s budget and constitution.
Meanwhile, amid the ongoing discord, some community members have urged both parties to resolve their differences and work together to advance Cardano to the next level.
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