Cardano Founder Responds to Claims About His Nationality in ADA’s U.S. Reserve Asset Debate

The Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has responded to an argument that he is Canadian in an effort to downplay the selection of ADA as a U.S. reserve asset.

President Donald Trump’s announcement on Sunday that the U.S. strategic crypto reserve would feature Cardano (ADA), XRP, and Solana (SOL)—touted as “Made in America” coins—alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum has triggered discussions in crypto circles.

The disclosure, made through Truth Social, aligns with earlier reports suggesting a focus on American-origin digital assets for the reserve. Yet, not everyone sees the logic behind the chosen trio.

In the latest episode of the CoinDesk Markets Daily podcast, aired on March 4, host Jen Sanassi probed Delta Blockchain Fund founder Kavita Gupta for her take on these selections, triggering a pointed exchange about Cardano’s place in the mix.

Gupta’s skepticism about ADA, and her misstep about its founder’s nationality, expectedly led to a sharp rebuttal from Cardano’s Charles Hoskinson, who took to X to set the record straight.

Delta Blockchain Fund Founder Questions Inclusion of XRP and Cardano

During the podcast, Sanassi steered the conversation to the three assets Trump named, seeking Gupta’s opinion on whether they deserved a spot in the yet-to-be-defined reserve.

Gupta was more receptive of Solana, highlighting its large community. However, she questioned its long-term staying power beyond the meme coin craze that followed its NFT boom.

She then turned to XRP, noting that she was confused over its retail token appeal, given its focus on institutional payment infrastructure, a debate she noted has lingered for years.

However, her analysis took a sharper turn when she addressed Cardano, casting doubt on its inclusion and questioning its American credentials.

Gupta argued that Cardano doesn’t strike her as a U.S.-based project, asserting that its founder hails from Canada and resides there. She contrasted this with Ethereum, which she credited with a robust U.S. community despite its multiple founders.

Gupta argued that she had not witnessed any significant Cardano community or projects in the U.S., suggesting they were absent at industry conferences. According to her, the reasoning behind ADA’s selection left her confused.

Still, the Delta Blockchain Fund founder welcomed the broader spotlight on crypto assets at a national level, seeing it as a silver lining despite her reservations.

Cardano Founder Reacts

Charles Hoskinson, Cardano’s founder, didn’t let Gupta’s comments slide. In a video posted to X on March 4, he made a sarcastic response, mocking her claim about his nationality.

https://t.co/HvCSRAtRKn pic.twitter.com/l7SSBiHGIz

— Charles Hoskinson (@IOHK_Charles) March 4, 2025

Hoskinson pointed out that he was born in Hawaii and currently living in Colorado, highlighting his deep American roots, as he has his ranch in Wyoming alongside family ties spanning Colorado, Montana, New York, Pennsylvania, and Florida.

He mocked the notion of being Canadian, calling it a revelation to him and chiding the crypto community to sharpen its facts.

The latest development reflects a broader tension following Trump’s reserve announcement. Revealed as part of his vision to make the U.S. the “crypto capital of the world,” the plan ties back to a Jan. 23, 2025, executive order forming a Presidential Working Group on Digital Assets.

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