Charles Hoskinson
| Charles Hoskinson | |
|---|---|
| |
| Hoskinson in 2018, Mongolia | |
| Born | 5 November 1987
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| Education | Metropolitan State University of Denver (attended)
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| Known for | Founder of Cardano
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Digital contracts
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| Website | iohk.io |
Charles Hoskinson (born 5 November 1987 on Maui, Hawaii) is an American technology entrepreneur who is a co-founder of the Ethereum blockchain platform, and the founder and chief executive officer of Input Output Group, the company responsible for development of the Cardano blockchain.
Early life and education
Charles Hoskinson studied at the Metropolitan State University of Denver, where he earned a degree in analytic number theory. He later pursued graduate studies in mathematics at the University of Colorado Boulder but left his doctoral program before completion to participate in Ron Paul’s 2008 presidential campaign. [1]
Hoskinson has stated that he entered a doctoral program but did not complete it; however, Metropolitan State University of Denver did not offer a graduate mathematics program. The University of Colorado Boulder later confirmed that he attended as a part-time undergraduate mathematics student and did not earn a degree. Hoskinson has also stated on multiple occasions that he worked for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), a claim that DARPA has denied.
Career
After leaving consulting in 2013, Hoskinson focused on cryptocurrency, viewing Bitcoin as digital gold, later developing BitShares and launching a Bitcoin education initiative to promote broader ecosystem participation. In 2014, Hoskinson joined the founding team of Ethereum. He was one of the five original founders of Ethereum alongside Vitalik Buterin in late 2013 and served as its initial chief executive officer. He left the project in 2014 after a dispute regarding whether Ethereum should operate as a commercial venture or a nonprofit organization. Subsequently, he launched Cardano in 2017 as a competing blockchain platform.
In 2015, Hoskinson co-founded Input Output (IOHK) with former colleague Jeremy Wood. IOHK, a general-purpose blockchain technology company, is best known for developing the Cardano platform. The company is also involved in other projects, including Midnight, a Cardano sidechain, and Daedalus, a Cardano cryptocurrency wallet. [2]
IOHK’s flagship project is Cardano, a public blockchain and smart contract platform that supports the ADA cryptocurrency. [3]
Hoskinson has firmly opposed the use of venture capital for Cardano, arguing that such involvement would undermine the core principle of decentralization. He stated that venture capitalists typically claim a share of profits upfront, a practice he considered contrary to the open and collaborative ethos of cryptocurrencies.
IOHK has supported and sponsored research on blockchain technology at several academic institutions, including the University of Edinburgh, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and the University of Wyoming. In early 2018, Forbes estimated Hoskinson’s net worth to be between $500 million and $600 million.
Philanthropy
In September 2021, Charles Hoskinson donated $20 million to Carnegie Mellon University to establish the Hoskinson Center for Formal Mathematics, promoting research, education, and global access to formal methods. The center, led by Jeremy Avigad, develops computational proof tools, including the Lean platform, to support collaboration, verification, and interdisciplinary applications in mathematics, computer science, and related fields.
In 2023, Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano, funded and participated in the Galileo Project, led by Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb, to investigate UFOs and recover potential extraterrestrial artifacts near Papua New Guinea. The expedition, supported by a $1.5 million grant from Hoskinson, explored interstellar debris, including unusual wire fragments, using advanced techniques to study anomalous materials for scientific verification and discovery.
Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb suggested that an object investigated by the Galileo Project could have been of extraterrestrial origin, though this view lacked widespread support from the scientific community. The expedition reported discovering tiny metallic spheres on the ocean floor. Loeb stated that the team’s analysis of these spherules did not correspond to any known alloy, but it remained unclear whether they were artificial or naturally occurring. [4]
However, a paper published by the American Astronomical Society in October indicated that the chemical composition of the spherules analyzed by Loeb most closely resembled that of human-produced coal ash.
Personal life
In 2022, Charles Hoskinson, entrepreneur and new Wheatland resident, donated an all-terrain amphibious vehicle, firearms, and ammunition to the Platte County Sheriff’s Department. He also purchased the Twin Pines buffalo ranch and planned to renovate local restaurants. In 2023, Charles Hoskinson, together with his father and brother, opened the Hoskinson Health and Wellness Clinic in Gillette, Wyoming, which focuses on anti-aging and regenerative medicine. It was reported to have cost $18 million. Hoskinson stated that the facility plans to accept cryptocurrency for payments in the future.
In 2023, he was ranked among the top 15 private jet polluters in the United States, emitting approximately 2,895 metric tons of carbon dioxide. His private jet is used for both personal and business purposes, including charters for clients such as Metallica and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, contributing to significant environmental impact.
Political views
In February 2025, Charles Hoskinson, co-founder and CEO of Input Output, announced the launch of the Wyoming Integrity Political Action Committee (PAC). The PAC aims to promote Wyoming as a hub for emerging technologies, including blockchain, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, while advocating transparency, ethical procurement, and accountability in both government and the cryptocurrency industry.
In 2024, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. launched a third-party presidential campaign, gaining traction through ballot-access victories, financial support from his vice-presidential pick, and public dissatisfaction with the Biden–Trump rematch. His campaign, sometimes described as the “Brain Worm Coalition,” has been bolstered by Hollywood personalities, podcasters, and Silicon Valley figures, highlighting a mix of celebrity influence and unconventional political alliances in U.S. elections.
In 2007, Charles Hoskinson, influenced by libertarian ideals and the “Ron Paul Revolution,” supported limited government, individual freedom, and monetary reform. He opposes centralized control of money, advocates for blockchain-based decentralized systems, and integrates these principles into his work with Cardano, cryptocurrencies, and broader technological and economic projects.