在区块链行业的发展历程中, few figures are as pivotal and often misunderstood as Charles Hoskinson. As the founder of Cardano (ADA) and one of the original eight co-founders of Ethereum, Hoskinson’s journey is a testament to the evolution of blockchain technology—from Ethereum’s early innovations to Cardano’s research-driven approach. His story is not just about creating cryptocurrencies, but about shaping the philosophical and technical foundations that aim to make blockchain more scalable, sustainable, and accessible.

从以太坊联合创始人到“出走者”：理想与现实的碰撞

Charles Hoskinson’s entry into the blockchain world began in the early 2010s, a period of intense experimentation with decentralized technology. A mathematician and programmer by training, he was drawn to the potential of Bitcoin but quickly recognized its limitations—particularly in terms of programmability and scalability. This led him to co-found Ethereum in 2013 alongside Vitalik Buterin and others, where he served as the initial CEO.

At Ethereum, Hoskinson played a key role in defining its core vision: a blockchain platform that could support not just transactions, but also “smart contracts”—self-executing code that enables decentralized applications (dApps). This was a revolutionary idea at the time, moving far beyond Bitcoin’s peer-to-peer cash system. However, tensions soon arose over Ethereum’s direction. Hoskinson advocated for a more structured, corporate approach to funding development, including selling tokens to finance the project, while others, including Buterin, favored a non-profit, open-source path. These disagreements culminated in Hoskinson’s departure from Ethereum in 2014, a split that would later shape two distinct philosophies in the blockchain space.

创立艾达币（ADA）：用科学重塑区块链

After leaving Ethereum, Hoskinson briefly joined the blockchain project Ethereum Classic before setting out to build his own vision in 2015. This vision became Cardano, and its native token, ADA, was named after Ada Lovelace, the 19th-century mathematician often regarded as the first computer programmer. For Hoskinson, Cardano was not just another cryptocurrency—it was a “scientific blockchain” built on peer-reviewed research, academic rigor, and a modular architecture designed to solve the “blockchain trilemma” of scalability, security, and decentralization.

Unlike Ethereum’s rapid, iterative development, Cardano’s approach was methodical. Hoskinson and his team at IOHK (Input Output Hong Kong) prioritized peer-reviewed research, collaborating with universities worldwide to develop its consensus mechanism (Ouroboros, a proof-of-stake protocol) and layered architecture (separating the settlement layer from the computation layer). This slow-and-steady pace was often criticized by detractors as “over-engineering,” but Hoskinson remained steadfast: “Blockchain is too important to get wrong,” he often stated, emphasizing the need for robust, secure foundations over hype.

以太坊的影子与超越：两种路径的平行发展

Hoskinson’s connection to Ethereum is both a blessing and a burden. On one hand, his role as a co-founder lends Cardano immediate credibility in the industry; on the other, he is frequently compared to Vitalik Buterin, with Ethereum’s massive ecosystem of dApps, DeFi protocols, and NFTs often overshadowing Cardano’s more measured progress. Yet, Hoskinson has consistently framed Cardano not as an “Ethereum killer,” but as a complementary network with a different ethos.

Where Ethereum focused on becoming a “world computer” through rapid innovation, Cardano aimed to be a “more sustainable and inclusive” platform—prioritizing formal verification (mathematical proof of code correctness), interoperability with legacy systems, and solutions for emerging markets. For example, Cardano’s partnership with governments in Africa and Asia to explore blockchain for identity verification and supply chain management reflects Hoskinson’s vision of blockchain as a tool for social impact, not just financial speculation.

争议与坚守：霍斯金森的区块链哲学

No discussion of Charles Hoskinson is complete without addressing the controversies. His outspoken personality, frequent public debates with other crypto figures (including a well-known feud with Vitalik Buterin), and Cardano’s slow development pace have drawn criticism. Yet, supporters argue that these traits reflect his unwavering commitment to principles: decentralization, academic rigor, and long-term thinking.

Hoskinson has also been a vocal advocate for regulation, arguing that blockchain cannot achieve mainstream adoption without working with governments and regulators—a stance that sets him apart from many in the crypto space who view regulation with suspicion. For him, the goal is not to subvert existing systems, but to build technology that can integrate with them to solve real-world problems.

从以太坊奠基者到行业思想家

Today, Charles Hoskinson stands as one of blockchain’s most influential yet polarizing figures. His legacy is twofold: as a co-founder of Ethereum, he helped lay the groundwork for the smart contract revolution that continues to define the industry; as the founder of Cardano, he is pushing the boundaries of what blockchain can achieve through research, patience, and a commitment to solving the “hard problems” of scalability and sustainability.