Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has accused Ethereum of operating like a dictatorship, with Vitalik Buterin controlling its decisions. In a recent interview at the Token2049 conference in Singapore, Hoskinson criticized the Ethereum network, claiming it heavily relies on its co-founder, Buterin, which undermines its claims of decentralization.
Buterin’s Influence Over Ethereum Criticized
Hoskinson argued that Ethereum cannot function without Buterin’s influence. Hoskinson highlighted that Buterin controls all major decisions on the Ethereum network, from hard forks to its overall development. He claimed that Buterin’s influence undermines Ethereum’s decentralization.
Related article: Charles Hoskinson Highlights Leios Protocol as the Future of Cardano’s Blockchain
Hoskinson, one of the original founders of Ethereum, left the project in 2014 due to differences with Buterin over the project’s direction. Since then, he has repeatedly voiced his disagreement with Ethereum’s governance model.
Ethereum’s Shift to Layer-2 Solutions
Hoskinson also criticized Ethereum’s adoption of layer-2 (L2) solutions and rollups like Arbitrum, Base, and Optimism. He blamed Buterin for changing Ethereum’s original plan to include sharding and L2s, a move that he believes has stifled the network’s multichain potential. While these changes have helped Ethereum scale, Hoskinson argued that they have diverted the network’s growth away from its mainnet, sacrificing potential fee revenue.
Related article: Charles Hoskinson Advocates for ADA Token Listing on Major Exchange Gemini
In contrast, Hoskinson praised Cardano’s governance model, specifically its new Voltaire era, which launched on September 1 following the Chang hard fork. He emphasized that Cardano’s decentralized, community-driven approach avoids the governance pitfalls of both Ethereum and Bitcoin.
Cardano’s Voltaire system lets ADA holders elect decentralized representatives (Dreps) to oversee governance, creating a more balanced and decentralized model. Hoskinson noted that although he helped shape Cardano, the network now thrives independently, free from centralized leadership.
