- Cardano is facing a governance dispute after a DRep began auto-voting “no” on all IOG proposals
- Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has fired back, calling the move “emotional” and not evidence-based
- Hoskinson is urging the community to delegate votes to “rational” actors to protect the network’s future
Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has addressed growing tensions within the ecosystem, following a controversial governance move by a DRep known as “Whale.” The issue began with Whale’s decision to automatically vote against every proposal from Input Output Global (IOG), Hoskinson’s development company, citing dissatisfaction with its delivery.
This dispute reflects deeper concerns about ego-driven governance decisions and the potential long-term risks they pose to Cardano’s development and decentralized structure.
Dispute over “non-delivery” and “emotional voting”
Hoskinson pushed back against the criticism, arguing that Cardano has made substantial progress with the successful implementation of the Voltaire era and a full on-chain government. He emphasized that tools like Hydra, Midnight, and recent Plutus upgrades have significantly advanced Cardano’s scalability, privacy, and smart contract capabilities.
Related: Washington Is Finally “Open for Business” on Crypto, Says Hoskinson
He also noted that proposals like the Cardano Sovereign Wealth Fund are designed to bring stablecoin liquidity to the network, something the community has long demanded.
However, the DRep known as Whale disputed these claims, accusing IOG of bloated spending and a lack of tangible output. In response, Hoskinson challenged the technical basis for Whale’s objections, particularly regarding a proposal for a $100 million ADA-to-stablecoin conversion, arguing it would not destabilize the market. He labeled Whale’s blanket rejection of all IOG proposals as “emotionally charged” rather than based on evidence.
Hoskinson’s call for rational governance
Hoskinson urged the Cardano community to reconsider who they delegate their voting power to, warning that unchecked ego could derail the network’s progress. He stressed that DReps should evaluate proposals on a case-by-case basis instead of applying blanket opposition, reminding users that decentralization requires accountability.
Related: Charles Hoskinson Explains Crypto’s ‘Cooperative Equilibrium’ Problem
He pointed to the importance of upcoming governance conversations at the Rare Evo conference, where community participation will shape constitutional updates and long-term budgeting. Hoskinson encouraged delegators to support rational, constructive DReps over those driven by personal disputes, reiterating that successful governance depends on collaboration.
A decisive moment for Cardano’s future
With new elections approaching and IOG transitioning out of its central governance role, Cardano is facing a critical period. Hoskinson concluded that the leadership decisions made by the community today will define whether the network thrives, reaffirming his belief that Cardano could surpass Ethereum if rational actors remain in control.
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