Cardano Founder Criticizes Crypto Media Over Misinformation and AI-Generated Content

• A memecoin falsely linked to Charles Hoskinson saw its market cap collapse from $70M to $300K after clarification.
• Misreporting confused the memecoin with a legitimate CHARLES Media Token, highlighting poor verification in crypto journalism.
• Hoskinson called for higher journalistic standards, citing the impact of misinformation on market sentiment and investor trust.

Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano, has criticized crypto media outlets for poor fact-checking and reliance on AI-generated content. His comments followed confusion caused by a false report involving a newly launched memecoin bearing his name. The incident highlighted significant issues in crypto journalism, particularly regarding misleading information and the absence of thorough verification.

Memecoin Controversy and Misreporting

A news outlet falsely claimed Hoskinson had promised exclusive content to holders of the Official Charles Meme coin in April 2025. Contrary to these claims, Hoskinson clarified that he had no association with the project and had previously distanced himself from it. The memecoin, created by an anonymous entity, attempted to link itself to Hoskinson by transferring 90% of its supply to a wallet he once displayed during a live stream.

Hoskinson responded by permanently removing the tokens from circulation, severing any connection with the project. This action caused the memecoin’s market cap to collapse from over $70 million to under $300,000, with holders selling their positions rapidly.

Confusion Between Memecoin and Media Token

The confusion deepened as the news outlet failed to differentiate between the memecoin and The CHARLES Media Token (CHARLES). The CHARLES token, a legitimate project co-created by Hoskinson and Book.io, represents a blockchain-based 90-minute interview with the Cardano founder. Errors in verifying contract addresses led to widespread misinformation among traders and the Cardano community.
Hoskinson criticized the media’s failure to conduct due diligence, pointing to the pressures of rapid reporting and reliance on AI tools. He emphasized the need for higher journalistic standards in crypto reporting, citing the impact of misinformation on market sentiment and investor decisions. The incident has highlighted the growing challenges posed by speculative projects exploiting public figures and the lack of accountability in the media.