TLDR
- Charles Hoskinson praised XRP and called it a better Web2.5 product than USDT and USDC.
- He said the XRP Ledger remains open and permissionless for developers and businesses.
- Hoskinson argued that stablecoin issuers like Tether and Circle can freeze wallets and blacklist addresses.
- He stated that open standards and protocols are essential for blockchain adoption.
- Stablecoin market capitalization surpassed $322 billion in May 2026, according to DefiLlama data.
Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has praised XRP despite past criticism of the token. He described XRP as a stronger “Web2.5 product” than stablecoin leaders USDT and USDC. Hoskinson said the XRP Ledger offers more freedom because it remains open and permissionless.
Hoskinson made the comments while discussing blockchain standards and crypto infrastructure. He contrasted XRP’s structure with centralized stablecoin platforms run by private companies.
Hoskinson Compares XRP to Tether and Circle
Hoskinson said XRP occupies a space between traditional finance and decentralized systems. He argued that this hybrid positioning gives it broader utility in payments and tokenization.
He stated that anyone can build on the XRP Ledger without Ripple’s approval. According to Hoskinson, that openness sets it apart from stablecoin issuers.
JUST IN: #Cardano $ADA Founder Charles Hoskinson says "I think $XRP as a Web2.5 product is better than Tether or Circle. I like it a lot more." pic.twitter.com/IAA2iedc5t
— Angry Crypto Show (@angrycryptoshow) May 26, 2026
“I believe in open standards, open protocols, and open ecosystems,” Hoskinson said.
He framed that principle as central to blockchain adoption.
Hoskinson directly referenced Tether and Circle during his remarks. He said their systems allow companies to freeze wallets and blacklist addresses.
Tether issues USDT, while Circle manages USDC. Both firms can restrict transactions when required by internal policies or regulation.
Hoskinson said that centralized control limits developer freedom. He added that open networks better reflect blockchain’s original design.
Stablecoin Market Growth and Regulatory Debate
Hoskinson’s comments come as stablecoins expand within the crypto market. Data from DefiLlama shows fiat-backed stablecoins crossed $322 billion in May 2026.
Adjusted stablecoin transaction volume reached nearly $11.45 trillion last year. That volume reflects growing use in payments and digital settlements.
Stablecoins now rank among the largest sectors in crypto by market value. Bitcoin and Ethereum still lead overall market capitalization.
Lawmakers in Washington are debating stablecoin regulation tied to payment systems. Proposed rules focus on banking oversight and reserve requirements.
Regulators have examined how issuers manage reserves and customer protections. Stablecoin oversight has become part of broader crypto legislation discussions.
Hoskinson positioned XRP as an alternative within this environment. He said its open ledger structure supports builders without centralized approval.
His remarks mark a shift from earlier criticism of XRP. The comments arrive as stablecoin regulation remains under active debate in the United States.
🚨 Our MAY Stock Picks Are Live!
A new month means new opportunities. Our analysts have just released their top stock picks for May, highlighting companies with strong momentum that rank highly on our KO Score algorithm. We’re also now sharing trade ideas for both long-term and short-term investors, giving you more ways to spot potential opportunities in the market.
Sign up to Knockout Stocks today and get 50% off to unlock the full list and see which stocks made the cut.
Use coupon code Special50 for your exclusive discount!
Get 3 Free Stock Ebooks
Discover top-performing stocks in AI, Crypto, and Technology with expert analysis.
- Top 10 AI Stocks - Leading AI companies
- Top 10 Crypto Stocks - Blockchain leaders
- Top 10 Tech Stocks - Tech giants
