In a recent development within the cryptocurrency sector, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson confirmed that he was not invited to the upcoming White House crypto roundtable scheduled for March 7, organized by US President Donald Trump. While industry leaders and policymakers gather for this significant four-hour event in Washington, Hoskinson has set his sights on Japan. There, he plans to engage with the Cardano community and meet with regulatory officials.
During his latest livestream titled “Japan,” he addressed the White House summit and elucidated his stance on the impact of such meetings on long-term crypto policy. “We did not get an invitation on Monday. We did not get an invitation on Tuesday. We did not get an invitation today on Wednesday,” said Hoskinson, regarding the speculation circulating on social media. He approached this subject pragmatically, noting, “So I’m going to operate under the assumption I have not been invited to go to this gathering.”
Cardano Founder’s Journey to Japan
While acknowledging the attention drawn to White House engagements, Hoskinson firmly stated that real regulatory developments will be shaped in Congress and through administrative agencies, rather than through high-profile meetings in the executive branch. “The President signs the laws; the legislative branch writes the laws,” he explained, referring to ongoing initiatives such as a stablecoin bill and other pertinent legislation in the crypto space. “The vast majority of sustainable, permanent action that will be done will be at the legislative branch level.”
Furthermore, he highlighted the challenges surrounding crypto regulation, emphasizing that defining digital assets and formulating appropriate legal frameworks necessitates extensive collaboration beyond one-time White House discussions. He mentioned several US agencies—including NIST, the SEC, CFTC, and Treasury—as critical entities that must establish the technical and legal definitions needed before cohesive federal crypto policy can emerge.
Delving deeper, Hoskinson raised concerns about the potential classifications of what constitutes an “American cryptocurrency,” particularly regarding proposed tax exemptions. He questioned regulators on their ability to classify well-established assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, which originate from global contexts. “Is Ethereum an American crypto? It was founded in Switzerland, the ICO occurred in Switzerland, and the inventor is Canadian,” he stated, adding, “What about Bitcoin? We don’t even know who the founder is.”
Moreover, he underscored the importance of international regulatory coherence, alluding to the frameworks already established by nations such as Switzerland, the UAE, the UK, and Japan, which have been managing cryptocurrencies for years. His inquiry into whether US policymakers would consider these frameworks in their approach reflects an understanding of the global nature of the crypto industry. “This is a global industry, not just an American industry,” he asserted. “Where are the international regulators in this process? What about the FCA in the UK, FINMA in Switzerland, the Singapore Monetary Authority, or Japan’s JFSA?”
Hoskinson’s visit to Japan aligns seamlessly with his overarching vision of Cardano as a global blockchain network, eschewing ties to any single jurisdiction. Since its inception in 2015, Japan has emerged as a vital market for Cardano, bolstered by robust community support and active regulatory engagement.
“Cardano is for the world,” he affirmed. “It’s why we were in Africa, it’s why we went to Argentina for our constitutional convention, and it’s why we’re heading to Japan now.”
In a critical tone, he addressed the crypto industry’s inclination to prioritize optics over substantial policy development. He urged against viewing regulatory engagement as a mere “popularity contest,” dismissing the belief that receiving an invitation from the White House would significantly influence a project’s long-term viability. “If you believe for a moment that your cryptocurrency is going to do well because somebody went to a vanity affair, you’re a fool,” he stated. “It tells you you know absolutely nothing about how the US government works.”
He further pointed out the unpredictable nature of crypto regulation, citing past government actions against prominent players like Coinbase, Kraken, and Ripple. “Not too long ago, the US government was brutally attacking Coinbase, Kraken, and XRP. Now suddenly ADA is allegedly part of a national reserve? That’s whiplash,” he remarked.
What’s Next for Cardano?
As US lawmakers navigate the complexities of crypto regulation, Hoskinson remains committed to advancing Cardano’s development and adoption initiatives. He outlined critical priorities, which include expanding Bitcoin DeFi capabilities on Cardano, rolling out new governance mechanisms through Leios, furthering the Midnight privacy chain project, and engaging with international regulators across Europe, the Middle East, and South America.
Hoskinson reiterated his dedication to long-range engagement with crypto policy, expressing that Cardano’s policy team will continue collaborating with lawmakers. Nevertheless, he cautions that achieving regulatory clarity may require years of bipartisan cooperation and consistent industry involvement.
“Crypto legislation needs to be written in a way that will stand the test of time—just like the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, which is still relevant today,” he concluded.
At press time, ADA was trading at $0.94.
