Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano and CEO of Input Output, has responded strongly to the resurgence of “ETHgate” conspiracy theories within the XRP community. Hoskinson categorically rejected rumors suggesting he coordinated with Ethereum affiliates to restrict XRP or played any part in alleged behind-the-scenes collusion targeting Ripple.
Fresh spotlight on ETHgate controversy
The term “ETHgate” is widely used in XRP circles to refer to claims that certain individuals from the Ethereum team influenced US regulators ahead of the SEC’s 2020 lawsuit against Ripple. According to this theory, pressure from Ethereum’s side led to a regulatory crackdown on XRP, giving ETH an unfair advantage. On social media, a number of XRP supporters have suggested that Hoskinson was secretly involved with Ethereum in orchestrating actions against XRP.
Hoskinson emphasized the inaccuracy of these allegations by recalling his own history: after serving as one of Ethereum’s founding members, he parted ways with the project in a difficult split in 2014 before going on to establish Cardano. Speaking to the continuing accusations, Hoskinson stated:
“I left Ethereum in June 2014 and for twelve years since, they treated me rather harshly. Now I’m being accused of collaborating with them to undermine XRP years later? That’s impossible.”
Years of tension between XRP community and Hoskinson
After the SEC filed its lawsuit against Ripple, allegations about Ethereum’s alleged regulatory influence gained momentum on platforms like Twitter (X). Hoskinson consistently denied any involvement in a coordinated attack or bribery scheme, emphasizing that there is no substantive evidence behind such claims.
At times, Hoskinson’s comments in response to criticism have fueled a major rift between himself and members of the XRP community. Personal attacks and heated debates peaked during 2022 and 2023, with Hoskinson labeling some XRP fans as “toxic” and “vicious” and publicly stepping back from discussions about XRP, Ripple, or the ongoing SEC case.
Recent developments and the path forward
Relations between Cardano and Ripple at the executive level have shown signs of thawing in recent months. In 2024, Hoskinson engaged in talks with Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and CTO David Schwartz aimed at overcoming tensions and building bridges between the two ecosystems. Despite these efforts, ETHgate narratives remain active on social media, with leading figures in the “XRP Army” keeping the issue in the spotlight.
Ongoing online debates suggest that belief in ETHgate persists among segments of the XRP community. However, Hoskinson’s stance has remained clear, and the narrative of ongoing conflict stands in contrast to the years of distance he maintained from Ethereum after his departure.
While company leaders from Cardano and Ripple continue to strengthen channels for dialogue, full reconciliation at the grassroots level is elusive. The active nature of online arguments indicates that old grievances are not easily forgotten within these communities.
In summary, Charles Hoskinson’s firm rebuttal of ETHgate allegations, alongside continued institutional dialogue with Ripple, sets a foundation for constructive relations between the two major projects. Nevertheless, persistent suspicion and historical animosity from both communities suggest that this debate will likely remain in the public eye for some time to come.
