Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano, shared the top priorities for the network this year.
He focuses on integrating Bitcoin into Cardano’s DeFi (DeFi) ecosystem, enhancing network scalability and promoting broader interoperability through potential collaborations.
Cardano’s development plan emphasizes Bitcoin, Stablecoins and cooperation with Chainlink
Hoskinson recently announced a strategy to enhance Cardano’s capabilities in three important areas. The main highlight is the integration of Bitcoin liquidity into Cardano’s DeFi ecosystem. He described this as a key ingredient for long-term growth, noting that Bitcoin’s potential market on Cardano exceeds that of Ethereum and Solana combined.
Last year, Mr disclose that he is aiming for a May 2025 performance for the Bitcoin2025 event. The move could position Cardano as a significant player in Bitcoin’s DeFi, attracting liquidity from the leading cryptocurrency.
However, the announcement caused controversy when Hoskinson mentioned Fairgate as a partner. Critics have questioned whether this will replace the BitcoinOS that Emurgo previously announced. Hoskinson clarified that Fairgate provides the technology for BitcoinOS and operates without Tokens, relying solely on Bitcoin to make cross-chain transactions seamless.
Scalability remains a top priority for network growth. Hoskinson plans to roll out updates like Leios to increase transaction speed and efficiency. These upgrades are intended to handle higher transaction volumes, ensuring Cardano competes effectively with competitors such as Solana.
Meanwhile, Hoskinson also teased the possibility of collaborating with Chainlink to enhance interoperability. He emphasized the importance of making Cardano a connected “peninsula” rather than an isolated “island.” This approach is in line with his vision of promoting integration across ecosystems.
“Make Cardano a peninsula, not an island. Integration, integration, integration. Scheduled a meeting with Chainlink,” Hoskinson speak.
He revealed that discussions with Chainlink are already ongoing, possibly regarding the Cross-Chain Interoperability Protocol (CCIP). Over the past year, many cryptocurrency projects, including Shiba Inu, have adopted Chainlink’s technology for cross-chain operations.
Stablecoins are also an important part of Cardano’s strategy. These cryptocurrencies are important for payments and remittances and have a market capitalization exceeding $200 billion.
Even so, Cardano still lags behind competitors like Tron and Ethereum in accepting stablecoins. Hoskinson aims to address this gap by supporting further integrations, opening the door for increased adoption of this blockchain network in the growing DeFi space.
