Charles Hoskinson Criticizes Trump's Crypto Ventures, Highlights Regulatory Challenges Ahead of 2026 Election
Charles Hoskinson has criticized former President Donald Trump's involvement in cryptocurrency ventures, stating that Trump's meme-coin launch and politicization of crypto have harmed bipartisan momentum and could stall U.S. digital-asset legislation ahead of the 2026 elections.
Hoskinson described discussions about Trump-related crypto moves as a "third rail" in Washington, noting that many industry figures avoid the topic to maintain access to policymakers. Trump's World Liberty Financial project and the Trump coin were cited as examples of personal ventures tied to policy, complicating regulatory efforts.
In March, Trump proposed a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve that would include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP, and Cardano, funded by seized Bitcoin and following an executive order. Hoskinson opposed expanding the reserve beyond Bitcoin, arguing that the government should not pick winners and losers by selecting individual cryptocurrencies.
The U.S. government reportedly holds about 200,000 BTC seized since 2009, valued at approximately $17.1 billion, linked to cases such as the Silk Road investigation and Ross Ulbricht's conviction. The inclusion of Cardano (ADA) in the proposed reserve caused about a 70% price surge before a broader market decline, illustrating market risks associated with government involvement in crypto.
Hoskinson said he does not regret speaking out against these developments, even if it jeopardizes his access to policymakers, emphasizing integrity over access. After his criticism, he was reportedly disinvited from a private Mar-a-Lago dinner with Trump and other crypto executives.
