Cardano Founder Charles Hoskinson responded to Ben Armstrong’s comments about ADA status as a ‘dead coin’. Hoskinson’s reply sparked a conversation about the state of the crypto industry and what’s valued in projects.

Cardano And Polkadot Labeled ‘Dead Coins’

On Wednesday, crypto influencer Ben Armstrong, known as BitBoy Crypto, shared his thoughts on Cardano (ADA) and Polkadot (DOT). The influencer took X to explain his previous comments, stating that both cryptocurrencies were dead.

In a YouTube Video from April, Armstrong said that ADA was “dead for real.” The crypto influencer believed that this time “was different.” To him, investors had to question whether they were okay “standing on ideals” while watching their portfolio take a hit.

Per the influencer, ADA’s disappointing performance was because it doesn’t have the same backing as other tokens. He explained that “numbers go up” for institutionally backed tokens.

Armstrong also noted that, despite not having “awful” institutional numbers, ADA can’t compete with Ethereum (ETH) or Solana (SOL). Moreover, the influencer considers that “crypto is changing,” investors are turning their heads toward new projects to feel like they are early.

On X, Armstrong reiterated his opinion about ADA and DOT, stating that both were “dead to institutions.” However, he clarified the implications of his statement. The token’s dead coin status doesn’t mean ADA and DOT won’t pump this bull run. To him, the tokens will offer returns to investors, but they will be “mid.”

Charles Hoskinson Claps Back

Cardano’s founder responded to Armstrong’s comments, questioning the crypto influencer’s stance. To Hoskinson, his logic goes against the ethos of crypto. “I remember when the point of cryptocurrencies was to replace institutions instead of acting out a scene from deliverance,” the post read.

Armstrong’s comments ignited a discussion in the replies, with several crypto users disagreeing with his take. One X user agreed with the Cardano founder’s reply, wondering, “When did crypto become people begging for institutional investment?”

Another user stated that if Satoshi Nakamoto had shared Armstrong’s logic, the crypto industry and none of us would be here. “Hinging the success of a decentralized chain on centralized entities is hustling backward,” they added.

Nonetheless, some crypto investors agreed with the crypto influencer comments. A community member considered that, unlike Hoskinson, Armstrong is “at least adding content and valued entertainment into the space.” This has been a constant criticism toward the Cardano ecosystem and its founder.

Cardano users defended the project, claiming that the blockchain is one of the “few that haven’t lost the DeFi plot.” Many also concurred that the ecosystem is not there for VC funds or Armstrong but for its users.

Ultimately, crypto investors agreed that if a project has a strong community and technology, more user and institutional investments “will follow the network effect.”

At the time of writing, ADA is trading at $0.3861, a 4.4% decline in the last 24 hours.