Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson stated that the cryptocurrency sector is entering a period of rapid technological growth, comparing the evolution of blockchain technology to earlier advancements in the internet, artificial intelligence, and nuclear technology.
Speaking at the United Nations, Hoskinson described blockchain and other advanced fields as exponential technologies, which can appear to develop slowly at first before accelerating rapidly. He remarked that exponential technologies are counterintuitive, noting that very little initial progress eventually leads to massive changes.
Comparisons to the Internet and Artificial Intelligence
Hoskinson pointed to the internet as a prime example of an exponential technology that transformed global communication. He noted that communication once depended heavily on physical distance and could take months, whereas the internet made global communication almost immediate.
In addition to blockchain, Hoskinson highlighted rapid progress in artificial intelligence. He pointed out that AI models are becoming more efficient, enabling capable systems to operate with fewer computing resources. These improvements indicate that advanced artificial intelligence could become more widely available rather than remaining restricted to large data centers.
Growth in Asset Tokenization and Financial Markets
During his address, Hoskinson also addressed the growing trend of tokenizing traditional assets on-chain, such as equities, currencies, and real estate. He noted that blockchain-based systems can facilitate faster transaction settlements compared to traditional financial infrastructure.
Data cited by Hoskinson showed that tokenized equity grew from approximately $600 million at the beginning of 2025 to about $3 billion. This increase coincides with broader financial institutions exploring blockchain settlement methods, tokenized assets, and digital forms of money.
Unpredictability of Exponential Technology
Hoskinson emphasized that it is often difficult to predict the growth trajectory of new technologies by examining only their early stages. He referenced Germany's renewable energy sector, which was initially projected to supply no more than 4% of the country's electricity but ultimately supplied 55.9% by 2025.
His remarks underscored the idea that technologies can expand significantly faster than early estimates suggest as efficiency and adoption rates improve.
