Charles Hoskinson, the founder of Cardano, has declared his intent to lead the integration of decentralized finance (DeFi) into Bitcoin (BTC), asserting that the technological synergy between Cardano and Bitcoin could reshape the market landscape.
According to cryptocurrency news outlet CoinGape on April 1, Hoskinson stated in an interview with Scott Melker, “Cardano is preparing to become a DeFi hub for Bitcoin.” He predicted that following the introduction of Bitcoin ETFs, institutional investors would demand yield generation, driving the full-scale expansion of Bitcoin-based DeFi.
CoinGape reported that Cardano plans to combine Hydra with Bitcoin’s Lightning Network and establish trustless recursive bridges between the two chains. Additionally, the introduction of a new programming language called Aiken will enable the creation of smart contracts supporting both BTC and ADA, while a partnership with Maestro aims to enhance user accessibility.
Hoskinson remarked, “The journey toward Bitcoin DeFi has just begun, but we are systematically tackling every step.” He noted that after declining to attend the White House cryptocurrency summit, he has shifted his focus to technological innovation, emphasizing that this Bitcoin integration will not negatively impact Cardano’s roadmap.
A key discussion point is whether Bitcoin is suited for a DeFi environment. CoinGape cited Hoskinson’s claims that Bitcoin’s scalability and programmability, enabled by Taproot and the Lightning Network, make it viable for DeFi adoption. He argued that BTC alone could facilitate DeFi transactions, potentially allowing Cardano’s DeFi ecosystem to surpass the scale of Ethereum and Solana.
Meanwhile, ADA is currently priced at $0.66, down 10% over the past week. Technical analysis suggests a cyclical pattern forming, hinting at a strong rally in May. Some analysts, citing strengthened fundamentals and expanding partnerships, believe ADA could rise as high as $10.
