Charles Hoskinson is an American entrepreneur and blockchain visionary who co-founded Input Output Global, Inc. (IOG), formerly known as IOHK, and the Cardano blockchain platform. Hoskinson is also one of the original co-founders of Ethereum, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the future of decentralized finance. His journey into Ethereum began in late 2013 when he joined as one of the five original founders alongside Vitalik Buterin. However, due to a disagreement over the direction of the project—Hoskinson favored a for-profit model while Buterin supported a non-profit structure—he was removed from Ethereum in 2014.

Following this, Hoskinson co-founded IOG with Jeremy Wood, a former Ethereum colleague. IOG’s flagship project, Cardano, is a proof-of-stake blockchain platform that aims to provide a more secure and scalable foundation for decentralized applications and digital currencies. Hoskinson’s decision to forgo venture capital funding for Cardano underscores his commitment to decentralization and community governance. Today, Cardano is recognized for its focus on peer-reviewed research and a robust academic approach to blockchain development.