Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson highlighted the resilience of the crypto industry, arguing that digital assets can continue to thrive regardless of which political administration controls Washington.
Responding to a question from Anthony Scaramucci about whether Washington, D.C., matters for Bitcoin, Hoskinson said the crypto industry had “survived the Biden administration” and would also survive the Trump administration.
The statement reflects Hoskinson’s longstanding view that the crypto market should not depend entirely on political leadership. Although governments can influence regulation, market conditions, and institutional adoption, he believes they cannot easily eliminate an industry built on decentralized technology.
Hoskinson Separates Crypto’s Future From Politics
Hoskinson’s position is notable because he has criticized both Democratic and Republican approaches to cryptocurrency policy.
During the Biden administration, the crypto industry faced substantial regulatory pressure, particularly from the SEC under former Chairman Gary Gensler. Nonetheless, Bitcoin, Cardano, and other blockchain networks continued to develop, while many major crypto assets reached record highs during the broader 2021 market rally.
Against that backdrop, Hoskinson argues that the industry can similarly withstand the Trump administration. However, his assessment does not mean he supports every aspect of Trump’s cryptocurrency policies.
Hoskinson Has Criticized Trump’s Crypto Strategy
Despite acknowledging that crypto can thrive under Trump, Hoskinson has criticized several aspects of the administration’s approach to digital assets.
One of his major concerns has been Trump’s personal involvement in cryptocurrency. Following the launch of the Trump memecoin, Hoskinson argued that the move risked turning crypto from a broadly bipartisan issue into a partisan political weapon. In his view, this could undermine opportunities to build bipartisan support for comprehensive cryptocurrency legislation.
Hoskinson has also questioned Trump’s proposal to expand the U.S. government’s cryptocurrency reserves beyond Bitcoin. The 2025 proposal identified Bitcoin alongside Ethereum, XRP, Solana, and Cardano’s ADA as potential reserve assets.
However, Hoskinson argued that the government should not actively select cryptocurrency winners and losers. Instead, he has favored a Bitcoin-focused reserve based primarily on digital assets already seized by the government, rather than having Washington deliberately choose specific altcoins.
Political Changes Cannot Stop Decentralized Networks
Hoskinson has further argued that Trump’s involvement in cryptocurrency could make it easier for opponents to associate the industry with one political party. In his view, that dynamic could weaken the bipartisan momentum surrounding the CLARITY Act.
Notably, the CLARITY Act stalled in the Senate before the August 2026 recess, with most Democrats opposing its advancement. Nevertheless, Hoskinson’s broader position revolves around the idea that crypto’s future should not depend on any single president or political party.
Governments can shape the regulatory environment and influence how quickly the industry develops. However, Hoskinson believes decentralized networks can withstand political transitions and continue evolving over the long term.
