Hi everyone, this is Charles Hoskinson broadcasting live from warm, sunny Colorado. Always warm, always sunny, sometimes Colorado. I’ll keep this brief and to the point.
As many of you know, I do AMAs on a regular basis where the audience can ask me any question they want. Recently, someone asked me what I would do if Cardano were classified as a security. I discussed that question and mentioned the XRP case, which is significant because it addresses the core issue of whether layer one cryptocurrencies are securities and what facts and circumstances are necessary to make that determination. This is a concern for the entire industry.
In my discussion, I referenced a rumor I had heard from a reliable source close to the case about a potential resolution by December 15th. I simply shared that information. However, many in both the XRP community and the media interpreted my comment as me believing the case would be settled on December 15th. When it didn’t happen, I was accused of lying and creating FUD.
I find it challenging to engage with the XRP community. My statements have been historically measured and supportive. I do not believe XRP is a security, and I have consistently supported that position. I have appreciated my conversations with people like Arthur Britto, Larson, and others. There was a time when there was active dialogue and cooperation between Ripple Labs and my organization.
I do not believe the Securities and Exchange Commission was bribed to go after Ripple; I consider that a conspiracy theory. I do think Ethereum received somewhat gentler treatment than others, likely due to its size and the scale of its ecosystem. However, to speculate on bribery and corruption without knowing all the facts is inappropriate, and I won’t engage in that.
For expressing my views, I have faced mockery, harassment, and brutalization from the XRP community. At this point, I am left wondering if there is any value in discussing anything related to XRP. Given what has transpired, I don’t think there is. Moving forward, I will not answer any questions about XRP under any circumstances. I will not mention the project or discuss anything related to it, even after a resolution of the XRP case. If asked in the future, I will simply say "no comment."
Never in my career have I encountered a community so willing to viciously attack someone who has not attacked them. I have been supportive of initiatives like the Interledger Protocol and Codius, as well as Ripple's efforts to popularize cryptocurrency and educate people. There is no justification for the actions and statements directed at me, and I am frankly tired of being called a liar. I am also tired of being associated with the SEC due to unfounded accusations on social media.
This is how social media operates, and this is how this community seems to want to conduct itself. All I can control is my involvement, so moving forward, anything related to XRP—the case, the settlement, the technology, the people—the only response I will give is "no comment." I hope this resolves things so we can all move on. I regret that it has come to this, but I am tired and do not want to continue down this path.
I wanted to make this brief video to clarify my position. If you ask me in the AMAs, I will say "no comment." If I am forced to address it at a conference or panel where a representative of XRP is present, I will not attend. I won’t engage with anyone in that community because I don’t know how to interact with it. My statements have been measured, and there is no evidence that the SEC was bribed to go after Ripple. The conspiracy theories are baseless.
If you believe Ethereum received a free pass, that should actually benefit Ripple because it provides ammunition to argue that XRP is not a security based on the decisions made about Ethereum. It makes no sense to me that commenting on this would make me Public Enemy Number One. Prefacing my comments as rumors and then being called a liar afterward is beyond unacceptable.
So, no comment moving forward. No engagement moving forward. I am sorry it has come to this, but it is time for this to end. The only way for this to conclude appears to be for me to completely remove myself from any discussion or interaction. I wish everyone in the community the best of days and the best of luck. Thank you.
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