Emily Walker
Charles Hoskinson, the Cardano (ADA) founder and CEO of Input Output Global (IOG), held an extensive AMA on February 2, 2025. He discussed future partnerships with the Internet Computer Protocol (ICP), strategies for Cardano’s stablecoin, and Bitcoin integration, among other topics. Over nearly two and a half hours, Hoskinson elaborated on governance models, budgeting, and the technical roadmap for the Cardano ecosystem, while also touching on the future landscape of multi-chain applications.
Exploring Collaboration with ICP
The topic of cross-chain collaboration was frequently mentioned during the session. When questioned about a partnership with Dominic Williams from ICP, Hoskinson hinted that discussions on interoperability and collaboration could be forthcoming.
While he avoided committing to a specific plan, he acknowledged the interest from ICP: “It’s potentially possible. ICP was quite frustrated about being overlooked. They were an excellent candidate for what Wyoming aimed to accomplish, and their exclusion seemed unwarranted. So, it would be interesting to see if they might wish to join the conversation, especially regarding litigation efforts. There are many talented individuals and scientists in that ecosystem.”
This comment, related to the Wyoming stablecoin initiative, reveals Hoskinson’s willingness to reconnect with different networks. His consistent viewpoint is that multi-chain interoperability is crucial, emphasizing that the blockchain’s future is “multi-chain,” and that Cardano could significantly benefit from collaborations with projects like ICP.
Conversations with Ripple
Stablecoins were a key discussion point, with Hoskinson mentioning various proposals such as Real USD and RLUSD. He highlighted the necessity for Cardano’s stablecoins to be transparently and securely managed, with interoperability in mind for both on-chain governance and DeFi protocols.
Touching on collaboration with Ripple, Hoskinson stated that they’re in discussions: “We regularly communicate with David Schwartz and Brad Garlinghouse. There’s a strong chance we could negotiate something regarding RLUSD. Ripple has told us to wait until March when they finalize things with NYDFS. We’ll see what their roadmap looks like and how they progress.”
He suggested that Cardano’s treasury could consider converting a portion of its assets into a stablecoin, possibly involving external managers in the Cardano-native DeFi space. This approach, according to Hoskinson, “would enhance the amount of minted stablecoins within the Cardano ecosystem,” subsequently increasing the total value locked (TVL) and liquidity. However, he emphasized the necessity of a thorough community discussion and on-chain governance to achieve consensus on such initiatives.
Interconnecting with Bitcoin
Hoskinson reaffirmed his commitment to direct interaction with Bitcoin. He described the potential of positioning Cardano as a US strategic Bitcoin reserve and a pivotal asset for onboarding, noting ongoing work on Bitcoin-centric DeFi projects and intentions to showcase developments at the 2025 Bitcoin conference.
Additionally, he expressed a vision to integrate Hydra—Cardano’s layer-2 scalability solution—with the Lightning Network, which could create a “lightning-Hydra synergy” to enhance cross-chain capabilities. “Hydra is continuously advancing […]. We’re examining how to merge Hydra with the Lightning Network to strengthen our relationship with Bitcoin,” he remarked.
Driving Global Adoption
From Africa to Mongolia, Hoskinson detailed multiple ongoing or prospective country-level initiatives. He noted a shift away from direct government contracts in favor of private-sector collaborations, such as microfinance projects built on the Cardano framework.
Reflecting on a previous effort in Ethiopia, he stated: “When we entered Ethiopia, it seemed promising […]. However, five years later, it all fell apart as the government faced serious allegations. We genuinely wanted to create something beneficial for the children, but the government simply stopped communicating with us.”
He highlighted a private sector initiative in Kenya called RealFi, which focuses on micro-lending through Cardano’s stablecoin structure, emphasizing its goal to introduce “real-world assets” and tangible micro-finance solutions on the blockchain. According to Hoskinson, this project “will ultimately incorporate stablecoins, identity frameworks, and function on Cardano’s infrastructure.”
Moreover, he mentioned ongoing discussions about potential partnerships in Mongolia, expressing a long-standing desire to undertake significant projects there. In response to inquiries about Mongolia’s connections with Cardano, he said, “I’ve been eager to do something meaningful in Mongolia for a long time. […] There’s some dialogue in Wyoming regarding a gold-backed stablecoin. Collaborating with Mongolia for this would be quite exciting.”
At the time of reporting, ADA was valued at $0.6755.