Cardano Founder Clarifies Stance on Bitcoin and Introduces Babel Fee Mechanism

• Charles Hoskinson reaffirms his long-standing support for Bitcoin despite criticisms from some Bitcoin maximalists.
• Cardano’s new Babel fee mechanism allows transaction fees to be paid in various coins, not just ADA.
• The Babel fee mechanism enhances interoperability and supports complex operations like atomic swaps on Cardano.

Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano, recently made statements about Bitcoin that have sparked discussions within the cryptocurrency community. In a series of posts on X, Hoskinson addressed misconceptions about his views on Bitcoin and shared his ongoing commitment to the cryptocurrency. He also provided updates on Cardano’s latest developments, specifically the Babel fee mechanism.

Hoskinson’s comments began by emphasizing his historical involvement with Bitcoin. Contrary to some beliefs, he expressed his longstanding support and contributions to the Bitcoin ecosystem. “Love Bitcoin grew up with Bitcoin, and founded the Bitcoin education project back in 2013,” Hoskinson stated. 

This assertion came in response to a user suggesting that Hoskinson’s recent political positions might indicate an aversion to Bitcoin. He clarified that while he respects Bitcoin, he is critical of certain Bitcoin maximalists, who he feels have unjustly targeted him for developing an alternative cryptocurrency.

Hoskinson’s frustrations are directed primarily at the segment of Bitcoin supporters known as “maximalists.” He described their divisive attitudes and noted that some have called for his imprisonment simply because he created Cardano, an altcoin. “Hate the Maxis who say I should be in prison for making an altcoin,” Hoskinson remarked.

In other news, Romain Pellerin, CTO of Input Output Global, Cardano’s developer, has announced an update on the Babel fee mechanism. This innovative system will allow transaction fees on the Cardano network to be paid in coins other than ADA, aiming to enhance interoperability and user convenience.

The new mechanism introduces “validation zones,” a concept that enables multiple related transactions to be bundled and validated together. This approach supports more flexible intent settlements on Cardano and facilitates complex operations like atomic swaps. Pellerin explained that the proposal also includes new transaction fields for “requests” and “fulfillments,” allowing users to express transaction intents without executing them immediately.

Hoskinson’s recent statements and Cardano’s technological advancements illustrate ongoing efforts to enhance the cryptocurrency ecosystem. While Hoskinson maintains his respect for Bitcoin, his critiques of Bitcoin maximalism and the introduction of the Babel fee mechanism reflect his commitment to fostering a more inclusive and interoperable blockchain environment.