Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has recently expressed admiration for Ripple CTO David Schwartz, acknowledging his leadership and the resilience of Ripple amid numerous challenges. During a live-stream event, Hoskinson referred to Schwartz as “super smart” and “really passionate,” highlighting his determination in the face of ongoing legal struggles with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
“Dave Schwartz is a great guy. He’s a brilliant guy. It’s a lot of fun being in meetings with him, and I love to hang out with him,” Hoskinson remarked, showcasing a strong personal connection between the two. Despite Ripple’s turbulent situation—facing lawsuits, delistings, and regulatory hurdles—Hoskinson emphasized how the company has remained steadfast in its mission.
Ripple has been engaged in a legal battle with the SEC since December 2020, when the regulator accused the company of engaging in an unregistered securities offering by selling XRP tokens. A significant development occurred in July 2023, when a federal judge ruled that XRP is not classified as a security when sold on public exchanges. However, the case is ongoing, with appeals and unresolved penalties still looming.
Yet, Hoskinson maintains a positive outlook on Ripple’s future. He noted, “They’re still here. They’re still resilient. And they got a bright future because of it.” This reflects his belief that despite the setbacks, Ripple has the strength and potential to thrive.
Adding to the excitement, Hoskinson’s recent public apology to the XRP community on November 10 indicates a significant change in his perspective towards Ripple. This shift has paved the way for possible collaboration between the two projects. Hoskinson revealed that he met with Schwartz and Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse to explore potential synergies between the Cardano and XRP ecosystems.
In a December 8 interview, Hoskinson discussed their conversation, which delved into collaboration opportunities focusing on Cardano’s privacy-centric sidechain, Midnight, and its smart contract toolkit, Marlowe. He voiced hope for incorporating XRP into the Midnight narrative, believing that XRP might be a better fit for Marlowe compared to ADA, Cardano’s native token.
Furthermore, Hoskinson has suggested the potential integration of Ripple’s upcoming RLUSD stablecoin into the Cardano blockchain. This cross-project collaboration opens the doors for exciting developments and signifies a willingness to work together in the cryptocurrency space.
With the advancements being made and the public support from influential figures like Hoskinson, the future looks promising for a Cardano-Ripple partnership, creating a narrative filled with potential and hope for both ecosystems.