Why Cardano’s Charles Hoskinson Is Calling Out Ripple’s Brad Garlinghouse

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has publicly criticized Brad Garlinghouse, the chief executive of Ripple. 

Hoskinson’s comments were aimed at Garlinghouse’s support for advancing crypto legislation in the United States, even if the rules are not viewed as perfect by all industry participants.

Dispute Over Crypto Regulation Strategy

At the center of the disagreement is how the crypto industry should engage with lawmakers. Garlinghouse and Ripple have argued that passing clearer rules is better than continued regulatory uncertainty. Several major firms, including exchanges and stablecoin issuers, have backed this approach.

Hoskinson, however, questioned whether supporting such legislation could hand too much power to regulators who previously took enforcement action against crypto companies.

Ripple’s Legal History Shapes Its View

Ripple spent years fighting a high-profile lawsuit brought by U.S. regulators, a legal battle that cost the company hundreds of millions of dollars. Supporters of Ripple say that experience explains why Garlinghouse is pushing for clearer laws to avoid a repeat of what the industry faced in the past.

They also note that Ripple and other large firms have invested heavily in lobbying efforts to shape crypto regulation in Washington.

Industry Not United on the Issue

The dispute shows a broader split within crypto. Some companies believe compromise is necessary to protect digital assets and provide long-term certainty. Others argue that weak or rushed laws could create new risks.

Hoskinson suggested that the debate is being framed too narrowly, saying the issue goes beyond one company or one executive and reflects deeper disagreements about the future of crypto regulation.

A Sign of Growing Tensions

While the exchange has drawn attention on social media, it also shows rising tensions as governments move closer to setting firm rules for digital assets.

As policymakers weigh new legislation, disagreements among industry leaders like Hoskinson and Garlinghouse show that crypto’s next phase may be shaped as much by internal debate as by regulatory action.