Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson gave rare praise for XRP, calling it a more powerful “Web2.5” product than mainstream stablecoin releases like Tether and Circle.
Summary
- Charles Hoskinson recommended XRP over Tether and Circle, citing the open and permissionless access of XRPL.
- His comments followed years of conflict between the founder of Cardano and parts of the XRP community.
- Related reports indicate that Hoskinson is also pushing for a comprehensive review of governance across Cardano’s ecosystem.
The comments marked a significant change in tone after years of public discord with parts of the XRP community.
Hoskinson said “I think XRP as a Web2.5 product is better than Tether or Circle.” He added that he likes XRP more because developers don’t need Ripple’s permission to use the XRP Ledger. X’s post from the Angry Crypto Show also carried this same quote and said Hoskinson tied his idea to open access.
The XRP comparison puts stablecoins in focus
Hoskinson raised the issue of open agreements. He said “I believe in open standards, open agreements, and an open environment.” His point was that the XRP Ledger remains available to developers without permission from the company.
That idea compares XRP to centralized stablecoin issuers, which can freeze funds, block addresses, and control access to other resources. Tether and Circle remain the major players in crypto payments, but their models depend on company-owned properties and compliance systems.
As previously reported by crypto.news, stablecoins have become a major part of digital currencies. Fiat-based stablecoin supply exceeded $319 billion by April 2026, while the adjusted stablecoin sales volume reached $10.9 trillion by 2025.
Time is important because stablecoin regulations are also under debate in Washington. crypto.news recently reported that the provision of CLARITY Act rewards for stablecoin was a major battle between crypto firms and US banking groups.
The old XRP controversies are always part of the story
Hoskinson’s praise stands out because his relationship with the XRP community has often been strained. Some XRP fans have linked him to the “ETHgate” theory, which states that Ethereum received favorable treatment from regulators before Ripple faced SEC action.
Hoskinson has repeatedly denied those claims. He denied that he left Ethereum in 2014 and had no role in any subsequent action against XRP or Ripple.
The debate also touched on legislation. As previously reported by crypto.news, Hoskinson criticized Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse in January for supporting the crypto market structure bill, warning that flawed regulations could last for years.
That previous conflict showed how Cardano and Ripple leaders can agree on certain industry goals while at odds over legislation, distribution, and strategy.
The Cardano governance debate adds context
Hoskinson’s latest XRP comments also come as Cardano faces its own governance questions. As crypto.news reported, he began a review of more than 11,000 DAOs to study governance design, roadmaps, executive roles, and strategic planning.
The update follows the Cardano treasury controversy. As previously reported, 81% of stakeholders opposed the ADA’s $32.9 million proposal to fund the Input Output Global research lab for another year.
That background makes Hoskinson’s XRP praise stand out even more. He didn’t just compare tokens. He used XRP to argue for systems that allow users and developers to work without seeking the approval of a single intermediary company.
