Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has a warning for those focusing too intently on competing Layer-1 (L1) networks. In a recent live stream on X, Hoskinson said that big tech companies are the real competition for Ethereum, Solana, and Bitcoin because they have the power to shape entire industries almost overnight.
Tech Giants – The Silent Adversary in the Digital Arena
According to Hoskinson, companies like Meta, Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon could fundamentally change the blockchain game as regulators set clearer rules. These major companies, with billions in resources and large user bases, can launch blockchain platforms or team up with crypto leaders to quickly dominate the industry.
“And the inconvenient truth that a lot of people in this space don’t want to admit is,” Hoskinson said, “our competitors are not Ethereum, Solana, or even Bitcoin. It’s Microsoft and Apple, Google and Amazon.”
Tech giants can shift into crypto, using their payment services like Apple Pay or Google Pay.
He further noted that once legislation opens the floodgates, Big Tech might integrate crypto directly into everyday consumer devices.
“What’s going to happen is when the regulations get passed, we’re going to wake up and they’re going to be like, hey, by the way, Android now has like a default crypto wallet.”
Hoskinson’s argument shows how easily tech giants can shift into crypto, using their payment services like Apple Pay or Google Pay to launch stablecoins or team up with established players like Circle. With entire ecosystems already in place, he believes these companies could quickly outsize the user bases of decentralized blockchain networks.
Will Big Tech Erode Blockchain’s Decentralized Future?
This looming threat has sparked a debate about whether blockchain can truly stay decentralized if big companies join in. Critics worry that profit-driven firms might create closed systems that only imitate blockchain technology, instead of adopting the open, community-driven model that lies at the heart of crypto.
Hoskinson, known for championing Cardano’s decentralized approach, has warned about its limitations. He stressed that if Apple or Google launch blockchains or add digital asset features, they could easily outshine traditional L1 networks. Their massive user reach and ownership of mobile operating systems would give them an extraordinary advantage in adoption and everyday usage.
“How the f**k are you going to compete with guys who have 3 billion users and they own the operating system that’s on your phone? That’s a lot harder. So that’s the next wave of competitors that are coming.”
Regulatory Green Light: A Ticking Clock
Hoskinson also pointed to Meta’s earlier attempt to create its cryptocurrency. The project collapsed under regulatory heat, but the story might play out very differently if U.S. lawmakers pass a stablecoin bill—something he suggests could happen within the next 100 days.
He predicts tech giants will launch a wave of new projects if Washington clarifies crypto regulations. Whether it’s stablecoins, tokenized assets, or full blockchain solutions, these projects could reshape the market in ways that current L1 networks aren’t ready for. His insights show how clearer regulations could transform crypto.
Speaking on a podcast with crypto commentator David Gokheshtein, Hoskinson described a future where big players—like institutions, sovereign wealth funds, and tech giants such as Apple, Google, and Microsoft—fuel a massive rise in crypto. This, he says, would draw renewed attention to top assets like Cardano, Ethereum, and XRP. Moreover, Bitcoin could hit at least $250,000 this cycle, driven by a $20 trillion institutional flow and clearer U.S. stablecoin rules.
While experts like Tom Lee and Gert van Lagen are optimistic, veteran trader Peter Brandt advises caution, noting that BTC must break key resistance levels before it can truly take off.
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Cardano’s New Partnerships Boost Institutional Confidence
Hoskinson’s comments haven’t slowed Cardano’s momentum. He recently announced a partnership with tech giant Globant—a $10 billion company—which pushed ADA to a 10-day high of $0.80 and a market cap of around $28.5 billion. Globant will develop decentralized apps and explore AI on Cardano’s blockchain.
Institutional eyes seem increasingly trained on ADA, even as the token’s price faces short-term volatility.
This news comes as the ADA community awaits Hoskinson’s meeting with a mystery VIP on March 1, with names like Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and David Sacks in the mix. Rumors of a potential partnership with Microsoft and Grayscale’s filing for a Cardano-focused ETF have also sparked optimism. Institutional eyes seem increasingly trained on ADA, even as the token’s price faces short-term volatility—recently dipping 2.55% over 24 hours to hover around $0.78, according to CoinMarketCap.
ADA Eyes 20% Rally Amid Growing Bullish Sentiment
ADA continued its rally after a 13% gain last week, supported by strong on-chain signals. The cryptocurrency bounced off the 61.8% Fibonacci retracement at $0.67 and closed above the weekly resistance of $0.74. Trading around $0.80 this week, it could see an additional 20% increase—potentially reaching its January 30 high of $0.98—if support holds.
ADA continued its rally, supported by strong on-chain signals.
Key bullish indicators include an RSI of 53 on the weekly chart and a high long-to-short ratio on Coinglass, showing growing trader confidence. Meanwhile, the funding rate data also turned positive, with longs paying shorts, further signaling optimism for ADA’s upward momentum.
The funding rate shows longs paying shorts
Overall, the technical outlook and market sentiment point to the possibility of more gains for Cardano.
Conclusion:
Cardano’s innovative model and strong community may help it stand out if Big Tech indeed rushes into the crypto industry. Yet for Hoskinson, it’s clear that the battle for decentralized finance is no longer just a struggle among blockchain pioneers—it’s also a race against the tech titans that have the money, the users, and the regulatory clout to reshape an entire industry.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who does Hoskinson say is the real competitor for crypto?
Big Tech companies like Microsoft, Apple, Google, and Amazon.
2. What regulatory change does Hoskinson believe will boost crypto?
Clear U.S. stablecoin regulations that attract institutional capital.
3. Which partnership recently helped push Cardano’s price to a 10-day high?
A deal with tech firm Globant.
4. How might Big Tech impact blockchain decentralization?
By introducing closed systems that mimic blockchain without its open, community-driven model.
5. What is Hoskinson’s Bitcoin price prediction for this cycle?
He predicts Bitcoin could reach a minimum of $250,000.
6. What additional news is fueling optimism around Cardano?
Rumors of a potential Microsoft partnership and Grayscale’s filing for a Cardano-focused ETF.
Glossary of Key Terms:
Cardano: A decentralized blockchain platform founded by Charles Hoskinson, known for its focus on scalability, sustainability, and peer-reviewed research.
ADA: The native cryptocurrency of the Cardano blockchain, used for transactions, staking, and governance within the network.
Charles Hoskinson: Founder of Cardano and a prominent figure in the crypto space.
Layer 1 (L1) Networks: Base-level blockchains that serve as the foundation for other protocols and applications, such as Ethereum, Solana, and Bitcoin.
Tech Giants: Major technology companies with vast resources and user bases, including Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon.
Decentralized Blockchain: A type of blockchain network that operates without a central authority, relying on distributed consensus and open participation to secure and validate transactions.
Sovereign Wealth Funds: Large, state-owned investment funds that can inject significant capital into markets.
Institutional Confidence: The trust and positive sentiment from large financial institutions and investors in a particular asset or market, often reflected in significant capital flows.
Fibonacci Retracement: A technical analysis tool used to identify potential support and resistance levels by applying Fibonacci ratios to recent price movements.
Funding Rate Data: Metrics derived from futures contracts that indicate the cost or credit for holding a position are used to gauge market sentiment.
On-chain Signals: Data points obtained directly from the blockchain (such as transaction volume, wallet activity, and staking behavior) that provide insights into market trends and investor behavior.
Key Resistance: A crucial price level where an asset historically encounters selling pressure, which can hinder further price increases unless overcome.
The price predictions and financial analysis presented on this website are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the volatile nature of cryptocurrency markets means that prices can fluctuate significantly and unpredictably.
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