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Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson argues that the crypto industry will continue to struggle to attract retail investors unless it returns to its foundational principles.
During a recent livestream, he noted that retail investors no longer respond to hype-driven cycles or promises of 100x returns. Instead, he stressed that the industry must deliver practical, meaningful benefits that address real problems in people’s lives.
His latest remarks follow his accusation that certain institutions orchestrated the recent crypto meltdown. Hoskinson claimed these firms engaged in pump-and-dump schemes and profited from both sides of the trades.
Furthermore, Hoskinson pointed out that many retail investors have not fully returned to the market since the LUNA and FTX collapses. Even among those who have reentered, he argued that most remain unaware of the extent of institutional manipulation.
How to Attract Retail Clients
In his latest commentary, Hoskinson noted that for the industry to attract retail clients, it must focus on delivering real utility, starting with true ownership of assets and data, economic agency, and digital identity.
In his view, concepts like self-custody, sound money, and access to real, sustainable yields, which formed the bedrock of early crypto adoption, need to return to the industry to attract retail clients back to the market.
He added that retail users will only embrace crypto when it clearly enhances their financial autonomy, enabling them to “be their own bank”. This point underscores how decentralized networks empower individuals to manage their wealth directly without depending on intermediaries.
Hoskinson’s message ultimately calls on the blockchain sector to abandon short-term incentives and refocus on delivering genuine empowerment. He argues that only by restoring these core values will the industry bring retail investors back into the space.
Cardano’s Efforts to Drive Retail Adoption
Meanwhile, Hoskinson and the Cardano team continue to work to attract retail participation through its blockchain and the Midnight project. In addition to airdropping NIGHT to users who held at least $100 worth of selected tokens, Hoskinson has promoted Midnight as a privacy-focused platform that protects user data.
Furthermore, responding to a recent Bybit report that 16 blockchains, including VeChain, BNB Chain, and Cosmos, contain fund-freezing functions, Hoskinson reassured users that no entity can freeze their funds on Cardano or Midnight.