Cardano Founder Denies Dumping ADA at Peak as Token Trades Nearly 90% Below All-Time High

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has denied claims that he sold his ADA holdings near the token’s all-time high, responding directly to accusations circulating on X as Cardano continues to trade far below its 2021 peak. The exchange began after Hoskinson posted a holiday message on X, where he reflected on what he described as a long and challenging year for the crypto market. While the message was intended as a seasonal note, it quickly drew criticism from some users. One account accused Hoskinson of selling ADA when the price was close to $3 and questioned why he has not repurchased tokens now that ADA trades near $0.30. Hoskinson rejected the allegation outright. In a brief reply, he stated that he did not dump ADA at the peak and dismissed the claim as misinformation. He added that repeated accusations do not make the claim accurate, pushing back against what he described as automated narratives spreading online. The interaction, shown in the image shared alongside the discussion, highlights the growing scrutiny founders face during prolonged market downturns. As prices retrace sharply, narratives around insider selling often resurface, even without public evidence. At press time, ADA was trading around $0.353. The token has dropped around 55% over the past three months and more than 58% year to date. December alone accounted for a decline of roughly 15%. From its all-time high of $3.10 in 2021, ADA is now down close to 89%.

#Cardano Founder Denies Dumping $ADA at $3 Amid 88% Price Decline.

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has pushed back against claims that he sold his ADA holdings near the token’s all-time high.

Like many crypto executives, Hoskinson took to X to wish his followers a Merry… pic.twitter.com/hQehEKgr0E

— TheCryptoBasic (@thecryptobasic) December 26, 2025

While the drawdown has been severe, Cardano is not an outlier. Many large-cap cryptocurrencies remain far below their previous cycle highs. Dogecoin, for example, trades more than 80% below its peak, while several Layer-1 assets continue to struggle amid weaker liquidity and slower retail participation. Market participants remain divided on Cardano’s longer-term outlook. Supporters point to ongoing development activity, governance upgrades, and staking participation across the network. Critics argue that price performance has lagged behind competing ecosystems and that market confidence remains fragile. The renewed focus on founder behavior reflects broader sentiment across the crypto market. During extended downturns, investors often look for accountability at the leadership level, especially when assets underperform for prolonged periods. In many cases, public figures are forced to respond to claims that gain traction regardless of their factual basis. For now, Hoskinson’s response closes the immediate discussion but is unlikely to end debate entirely. As the ADA price continues to trade at depressed levels, questions around confidence, transparency, and long-term conviction are likely to remain part of the conversation across the Cardano community. Read also: Don’t Sell Your $ADA for $NIGHT, Cardano Founder Warns