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In a latest development, Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano, has criticized the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for funding a book that links Bitcoin to right-wing extremism.
USAID Faces Backlash Over Linking BTC To Right-Wing Ideologies
WikiLeaks recently revealed that USAID funded a book connecting Bitcoin and cyberlibertarianism to right-wing ideologies. The book, Cyberlibertarianism: The Right-Wing Politics of Digital Technology, authored by David Golumbia, links Bitcoin to extremist ideologies. Published by the University of Minnesota Press, it reportedly received over $80,000 in funding from the U.S. government, according to WikiLeaks.
Hoskinson expressed his frustration on social media, calling this portrayal of Bitcoin as “garbage.”
So apparently, USAID is funding the production of propaganda that says Bitcoin is right-wing extremism.
I’m so done with this garbage https://t.co/hG9ViJiW0A
— Charles Hoskinson (@IOHK_Charles) February 10, 2025
Trump Administration Freezes USAID Funding
This controversy arises amid broader scrutiny of USAID’s activities. The Trump administration has recently issued an executive order leading to a funding freeze for the agency, affecting its global humanitarian efforts. Reports indicate that some USAID staff are also on leave, with the agency’s future unclear.
Backing, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson, Representative French Hill, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee (HFSC), recently commented on USAID’s spending. He mentioned that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is looking into the agency’s budget. Besides, Hill also pointed out that Secretary of State Mike Rubio, who oversees USAID, will be involved in decisions about its future funding.
Hoskinson’s criticism highlights the ongoing debate about how Bitcoin is portrayed and the role of government funding in crypto research. Bitcoin supporters argue that these narratives try to undermine decentralized technologies, which they see as tools for financial inclusion and economic freedom.
