This week, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson issued an urgent rebuttal that was, without exaggeration, necessary for the entire community. In a published video address, he categorically denied rumors of his departure from the project, calling them absolute fiction.
How Fakes Infiltrated the Real Sector
According to Hoskinson, the disinformation spread far beyond crypto Twitter. He cited a shocking example: a London taxi driver was seriously telling passengers about an imminent change in Cardano's leadership. Moreover, the false information reached the CEOs of major partner organizations. The creators of clickbait videos, in the founder's opinion, use quotes taken out of context and manipulate viewers' emotions to collect likes and sow panic.
"This is categorically untrue. This is a complete lie. This is a fabrication from start to finish," Hoskinson stated, urging supporters to share his video among those repeating these rumors.
Bearish Background for ADA
The rebuttal came during an extremely difficult period for the ecosystem. At the time of writing this review, ADA is trading around $0.16, approximately 94% below its 2021 all-time high of $3.09. The network has also faced a governance crisis: prominent investor Justin Bons publicly called for Hoskinson to leave the project, triggering a harsh reaction from the community.
However, not all news was negative. This month has seen steady growth in the number of Cardano wallets, despite the token failing to hold above local lows. Hoskinson himself proposed a governance reform to restore trust in the project.
General Altcoin Market Context
Cardano's problems reflect the overall stagnation in the alternative cryptocurrency sector. Bitcoin dominance remains stable at around 58%, testing an important support level formed back in August 2025. The altcoin season index is currently at 45 — for a full trend reversal, this indicator needs to exceed the 75-point threshold. The fear and greed index continues to indicate a predominance of panic among investors.
My analysis: The altcoin market, and Cardano in particular, is in a "capitulation" phase. Until BTC dominance drops below 55.5%, expecting a full altcoin season is premature. However, Hoskinson's rebuttal is an important signal for ADA holders. It removes a key factor of uncertainty and allows focusing on the network's fundamental indicators, which, despite the price depression, are showing signs of life.