Cardano Founder: “I’m Still One of ADA Largest Holders Despite 75% Drawdown in Six Months”
Despite a sharp decline in the value of his holdings, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has reaffirmed his long-term commitment to $ADA.
Speaking during a recent IOG treasury proposals X Spaces session, he addressed the downturn in $ADA’s market performance. He offered a reflection on both his personal losses and broader ecosystem sentiment.
His commentary comes at a time when persistent market volatility continues to weigh on investor confidence across the crypto sector, placing added pressure on projects like Cardano to prove resilience and long-term value.
Key Points
Charles Hoskinson disclosed that his $ADA holdings have declined by over 75% in the past six months.
Despite the steep losses, he suggests that he remains one of the largest holders of $ADA.
He attributed the downturn to broader market conditions rather than internal issues within Cardano.
He emphasized that sustained investment in Cardano’s ecosystem is key to restoring growth and reclaiming a top 10 position in global crypto rankings.
“I Remain One of $ADA’s Largest Holders”: Hoskinson
In a display of personal transparency, Hoskinson revealed that he has absorbed significant financial losses during the recent market downturn. Specifically, he confirmed he is down by more than 75% in his $ADA portfolio, stressing that no one has lost more than he has.
Although he did not disclose a precise figure in this instance, he previously indicated losses exceeding $3 billion following $ADA’s earlier 92% decline. Nonetheless, Hoskinson continues to hold a substantial position in $ADA, reinforcing his conviction in the asset.
“[…] No one has lost more money than me, but I’m still one of the largest $ADA holders,” he stated.
“It’s Not Cardano’s Fault”
Meanwhile, Hoskinson rejected the idea that $ADA’s losses stem from internal weaknesses. Instead, he attributed the downturn primarily to market forces. He emphasized that Cardano has not experienced any catastrophic failures or major technical setbacks that would justify such a steep price decline.
Meanwhile, $ADA has not been alone in this trend. Like many digital assets, it has shed significant value amid macroeconomic pressures, including geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
For context, $ADA opened the year at $0.3328 and has since declined roughly 25% year-to-date. By comparison, Bitcoin and Ethereum have fallen about 11% and 22%, respectively, from their opening prices of $87,508 and $2,967.
Calls for Continued Investment, Not Retrenchment
Amid these losses, Hoskinson has pushed back against calls for excessive caution, particularly regarding treasury spending. This follows the submission of nine treasury proposals for 2026 by Input Output Global (IOG).
While the firm has already reduced its funding request by half compared to last year, critics continue to question the need for further investment.
In response, Hoskinson argued that cutting back during a downturn is both counterproductive and potentially harmful. He warned that scaling down development or limiting funding would stall innovation and weaken the ecosystem at a critical moment.
Instead, he positioned continued investment as a strategic necessity, one that could ultimately help propel Cardano back into the top 10.
Notably, Hoskinson has previously expressed ambitions to push $ADA toward the number one position on CoinMarketCap. However, he cautioned that such a goal remains unattainable without strong internal investment and commitment.
Defining Moment for Cardano
Ultimately, Hoskinson framed the current environment as a pivotal test for the Cardano community. The decision now, he suggested, is whether stakeholders still believe in the project’s long-term vision.
If that conviction holds, he argued, the ecosystem’s best days could still lie ahead. However, without sustained commitment and investment, reclaiming a leading position in the crypto market will remain an uphill battle.