Cardano Founder Says 2026 Will Be a Great Year for ADA and Midnight

Charles Hoskinson, the founder of Cardano, has predicted that this year will be a remarkable one for Cardano and Midnight.

Hoskinson highlighted this in his “Happy New Year and Farewell” podcast on January 1, where he shared his outlook for 2026. He believes that Cardano and the broader crypto industry will grow past the flaws of 2025 and perform better this year.

What a Year 2025 Was: Hoskinson

Notably, the Cardano founder elaborated on what a rollercoaster the year 2025 was. While he had some fun, he noted that he and many enthusiasts had their expectations dashed as the market struggled.

Specifically, Cardano recorded an over 60% correction last year, in line with broader market trends. The correction came despite a strong start to the year, which saw it reach a yearly high of $1.16 in January 2025.

Hoskinson also highlighted that the digital asset industry did not receive the regulatory clarity it deserved. The GENIUS Act was signed into law in mid-2025, creating clear regulations for stablecoins. While this was a notable milestone, the CLARITY Act, which would create a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies in the United States, did not pass, though there is strong optimism it will be signed into law this year.

Notably, the Cardano founder blamed these 2025 woes on a deviation from the core purpose of the space. Hence, he emphasized the need to go to the first principles.

“Crypto exists because it’s supposed to change the economic, political, and social systems of the world,” he stated, identifying that “somewhere along the way we lost our way.”

2026 Would Be Great for Cardano, Midnight

However, Hoskinson remains upbeat about this year. He predicted that it will be great, citing the entrance of innovations and the maturing crypto landscape. Specifically, he stated that he sees a 2026 where Cardano replicates the success of its best years and Midnight performs remarkably well.

Notably, Midnight’s native token, NIGHT, had a strong market debut, reaching a market valuation of over $1 billion upon launch. While it has since corrected from its December 30 highs of $0.10 to $0.0079, Hoskinson predicts a better 2026, especially as the Midnight sidechain is set to launch in the coming days.

For Cardano, several factors could spur its evolution this year. Analysts have tipped the Bitcoin DeFi, Midnight launch, Ouroboros Leios upgrade, and several other rollouts to catalyze the growth.

Meanwhile, Hoskinson emphasized that those focusing on the price of Cardano in 2026 “have already lost.” While its price would rally to unprecedented levels, he suggested that it does not fully reflect the progress the ecosystem has made.