TLDR
- Charles Hoskinson said XRP Ledger supports open access for developers.
- Hoskinson compared XRPL with Tether and Circle’s centralized models.
- XRP Ledger users do not need Ripple approval to build or transact.
- Tether and Circle can freeze wallets and block addresses.
- Hoskinson’s remarks may ease past tension with the XRP community.
Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has praised XRP Ledger as a more open alternative to leading stablecoin issuers. Speaking on the Angry Crypto Show, he said XRP offers permissionless access through open protocols, while Tether and Circle operate as centralized firms. His remarks came as stablecoin regulation remains a major subject across the wider crypto industry today.
Hoskinson Points to XRP Ledger’s Open Design
Hoskinson said he prefers XRP over Tether and Circle because XRPL works through open standards. He said developers can build on XRP Ledger without seeking approval from Ripple. That point formed the center of his comments during the interview.
He said, “I believe in open standards, open protocols, and open ecosystems.” The statement placed XRP in contrast with major fiat-backed stablecoin issuers. It also showed his focus on access, developer rights, and network rules.
XRP Ledger allows users to send transactions and create tools through its public infrastructure. Hoskinson said that model gives builders more freedom than corporate-controlled stablecoins. He described XRP as a “Web2.5” product because it sits between older systems and decentralized networks.
Tether and Circle Face Control Questions
Hoskinson compared XRP with Tether and Circle because both firms issue major stablecoins. Tether issues USDT, and Circle issues USDC. These tokens play a large role in crypto trading, payments, and settlement. His main concern was control over wallets and addresses. Tether and Circle can blacklist addresses, restrict access, and freeze funds.
These powers are often linked to compliance needs, but they also raise concerns among decentralization supporters. Hoskinson argued that open protocols reduce reliance on corporate approval. A developer can use XRPL without asking Ripple for permission. By contrast, stablecoin issuers can enforce rules through their token contracts and internal policies.
The comments arrived during active debate over stablecoin regulation in the United States. The CLARITY Act’s stablecoin rewards provision has drawn disputes between crypto firms and banking groups. The debate centers on market rules, consumer access, and competition.
Cardano and XRP Communities Watch Shift
Hoskinson’s remarks also marked a change in tone toward XRP. He has previously criticized Ripple’s ecosystem and questioned its structure. His latest comments focused more on XRP Ledger’s design than past disputes. The shift follows technical reviews linked to Cardano’s Midnight sidechain work, according to the provided details. Cardano engineers reportedly studied XRPL during cross-chain development.
That review helped support a more favorable view of the ledger’s architecture. The XRP community reacted to the comments because Hoskinson has often been a strong critic. His praise did not remove all earlier disagreements. Still, it gave both communities a new point of discussion. The wider stablecoin market also gives context to the remarks. Fiat-backed stablecoin supply reportedly exceeded $319 billion in April 2026.
Adjusted stablecoin transaction volume also reached $10.9 trillion in 2025, according to the supplied figures. Hoskinson’s argument places open blockchain access against centralized stablecoin control. His comments present XRP Ledger as a network where builders can operate without direct company approval. The discussion now sits within a larger debate over crypto access, regulation, and financial infrastructure.





