Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has criticized the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for allegedly funding projects that portray Bitcoin as a form of right-wing extremism. Hoskinson expressed his concerns on X (formely Twitter), calling the situation “garbage” and stating that he is frustrated with what he sees as misinformation.

Allegations Against USAID’s Funding

WikiLeaks has recently reported that USAID provided financial support for a book that links Bitcoin and cyberlibertarianism to right-wing ideologies.

The book, titled Cyberlibertarianism: The Right-Wing Politics of Digital Technology, was published by the University of Minnesota Press. Its author, David Golumbia, has previously written about Bitcoin, labeling it as an extremist movement.

According to WikiLeaks, Golumbia received at least $80,000 in direct grants from the U.S. government. The book, in addition, has been added to course reading lists at institutions such as the University of Southern California and Duke University. Critics, including Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson, have as a result questioned whether the university fact-checked the claims in the book before its publication.

Cardano Founder Calls Out USAID for Funding

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson, has been vocal about what he considers biased narratives against Bitcoin and blockchain technology. He argues that Bitcoin is a decentralized financial system that does not align with any particular political ideology.

“So apparently, USAID is funding the production of propaganda that says Bitcoin is right-wing extremism,” Hoskinson wrote. “I’m so done with this garbage.”

Supporters of Bitcoin have frequently rejected claims that it is linked to extremism, emphasizing its role in financial inclusion and economic freedom. Many in the cryptocurrency industry argue that such narratives attempt to discredit decentralized technologies.

Donald Trump’s Admin Stance on USAID

Concurrently, the funding controversy comes at a time of uncertainty for USAID. The Trump administration has recently issued an executive order that triggered a funding freeze, affecting the agency’s global humanitarian efforts. Reports indicate that USAID staff have been placed on leave, with no clear direction on the agency’s future.

Siding with the Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson, representative French Hill, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, has ealier commented on USAID’s spending. He stated that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is reviewing the agency’s budget and financial operations.

Subsequently, French Hill noted that Secretary of State Mike Rubio oversees USAID and will play a role in any decisions regarding its future funding.

Bitcoin Market Stability and Policy Shifts

However, despite concerns over USAID’s alleged stance on Bitcoin, the cryptocurrency market remains stable. Bitcoin price is currently above $97,000, showing resilience amid global economic uncertainties. At press time, BTC price was trading at $97,327, a 1% surge from the intra-day low.

Meanwhile, sharing Cardano founder’s take on Bitcoin, Trump Media has filed trademarks related to a crypto-focused investment product, leading to speculation about future policy shifts.

Some analysts as a result believe that the administration’s approach to cryptocurrency may differ from previous regulatory stances with the Strategic Bitcoin reserve, crypto task force all ponting to more acceptance of digital assets.

The post Cardano Founder Calls Out USAID for Funding Anti-Bitcoin Propaganda appeared first on CoinGape.

---

Filed under: News - @ February 10, 2025 5:26 pm