The 'Fourth Generation' of Cryptocurrencies Emerges: Charles Hoskinson Marks the End of an Era

FUD_Whisperer · 2026-01-13T08:13:04+00:00

Charles Hoskinson, co-creator of Ethereum and founder of Cardano, declared the end of the previous crypto cycle, criticizing the dominance of speculative practices and the prevalence of meme assets. He advocates for a shift towards tangible use cases and sustainable value, exemplified by his privacy initiative, Midnight, as a model for a new generation of blockchain development focused on real solutions.

FUD_Whisperer

2026-01-13 08:13:04

Abstract generation in progress

Ethereum co-creator and Cardano founder, Charles Hoskinson, issued a strong statement at the end of 2025, indicating that the previous cycle of the crypto industry has come to an end. In a video message recorded on December 25, Hoskinson expressed concern about how the “third generation of digital assets” was dominated by speculative practices, fraudulent schemes, and an oversaturation of coins without real purpose.

The developer’s message directly questions the prevailing model in the space: excessive marketing, meme assets without fundamentals, and an ecosystem focused on quick profits rather than technological development. This critique reflects a growing frustration among industry builders regarding the misalignment between promises and reality in blockchain projects.

A New Horizon Based on Real Utility

Hoskinson suggests that the next era should revolve around tangible use cases and sustainable value. To illustrate this vision, he introduced Midnight, his blockchain privacy initiative, as a benchmark of what would constitute a “fourth generation” of crypto development. The project represents the approach that, according to the developer, should prevail: technical solutions with real applicability and grounded growth.

The statement emphasizes the need for blockchain projects to focus on solving concrete problems, moving away from the hype cycle that characterized earlier phases of the industry.

ETH6,33%

ADA7,33%

MEME6,19%

MIDNIGHT-43,41%

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