Cardano Excluded from U.S. Blockchain Data Project: Hoskinson Explains Chainlink Costs, Future Partnerships

Why Was Cardano Excluded from U.S. Blockchain Data Project? Hoskinson Addresses Controversy and Future Partnerships

Cardano (ADA), one of the top cryptocurrencies with a market cap of $12.1 billion and trading at $0.34 as of September 1, 2025, has been notably absent from the U.S. government’s groundbreaking initiative to publish official economic data on public blockchains. This exclusion has sparked curiosity and debate within the crypto community, given Cardano’s robust technology and loyal following. In a recent Ask-Me-Anything (AMA) session, founder Charles Hoskinson shed light on the reasons behind this omission, pointing to high integration costs quoted by Chainlink, the oracle provider spearheading the project. Alongside addressing this controversy, Hoskinson hinted at exciting partnerships on the horizon, positioning Cardano for future growth in the decentralized finance (DeFi) and blockchain ecosystems. This in-depth analysis explores the reasons for Cardano’s absence, community reactions, potential collaborations, and the broader implications for the blockchain’s trajectory.

Cardano’s Exclusion: The Chainlink Cost Barrier

In his AMA, Hoskinson revealed that Cardano’s exclusion from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s initiative to bring macroeconomic data on-chain stemmed from a steep integration fee quoted by Chainlink, the oracle network facilitating the project. He described the figure as “an absurd number,” which made participation unfeasible for Cardano at this stage. “They gave us an absurd number for integration. We’ll handle it, we’ll figure it out,” Hoskinson stated, acknowledging Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov’s strategic acumen. “Sergey is an extremely smart man, he kind of sees the future and knows he’s sitting on a golden egg, he knows his worth.”

The U.S. initiative, announced on August 28, 2025, involves publishing key economic indicators like Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index, and Real Final Sales to Private Domestic Purchasers across ten blockchain networks, including Ethereum, Avalanche, and Optimism. Chainlink’s role as the primary oracle provider ensures secure, tamper-proof data delivery, a critical component for applications like DeFi protocols and prediction markets. The absence of Cardano, known for its academic rigor and five-year record of zero downtime, has raised eyebrows, especially given its technical capabilities and 3,500 smart contracts deployed on the network.

Community Reactions: Frustration and Optimism

The crypto community on platforms like X has been vocal about Cardano’s exclusion, with mixed sentiments ranging from frustration to cautious optimism. Some critics argue that this marks another missed opportunity for Cardano, which has faced scrutiny for lagging in real-world adoption despite its robust infrastructure. Posts on X highlight disappointment, with users pointing to Cardano’s absence from earlier Chainlink integrations and other high-profile partnerships. One user noted, “Cardano’s tech is solid, but it keeps missing the boat on big collaborations. This U.S. data project could’ve been a game-changer.”

Others defend Cardano’s position, emphasizing its focus on long-term scalability and sustainability. Supporters argue that the network’s deliberate approach to partnerships and development prioritizes quality over haste. The community remains divided, with some urging the Cardano Foundation to address perceived gaps in marketing and ecosystem growth to compete with rivals like Solana ($171.4) and BNB ($573.2).

Hoskinson’s Vision: New Partnerships on the Horizon

Despite the setback, Hoskinson remains optimistic about Cardano’s future, outlining potential collaborations that could bolster its DeFi ecosystem. He specifically mentioned talks with Aave, a leading DeFi lending protocol with over $9 billion in total value locked (TVL), and USD1, a dollar-pegged stablecoin currently live on Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Tron. “I’d like USD1, I’d like Aave, I’d like Chainlink. There’s a bundle there, and we’re working our way through what that means and how to do it,” Hoskinson said. Integrating USD1 could enhance Cardano’s utility for cross-border payments and stablecoin-based DeFi, while Aave’s presence would attract developers and liquidity.

Additionally, Hoskinson hinted at revisiting Chainlink integration, suggesting that negotiations could lead to a resolution. These partnerships, if realized, could position Cardano as a stronger contender in the DeFi space, where it currently holds $300 million in TVL, trailing competitors like Ethereum ($60 billion) and Solana ($5 billion). Such moves could also drive demand for ADA, which has seen a 24-hour trading volume of $1.2 billion, reflecting sustained market interest despite a 2.3% price dip to $0.34.

Chainlink’s Rising Dominance in Blockchain Data

Chainlink’s pivotal role in the U.S. government’s data initiative underscores its growing influence in the blockchain industry. The project’s LINK token surged over 5% to $24.13 following the announcement, reflecting market enthusiasm for its institutional adoption. By delivering verified economic data across ten blockchains, Chainlink is enabling innovative use cases, such as:

• Automated Trading Strategies: DeFi protocols can execute trades based on real-time GDP or inflation data.
• Prediction Markets: Platforms can leverage PCE Price Index data for crowdsourced economic forecasts.
• Risk Management: Lending protocols like Aave can adjust interest rates dynamically based on macroeconomic trends.

This initiative, backed by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, aims to make U.S. economic data “immutable and globally accessible,” positioning the country as a leader in blockchain-based infrastructure. Chainlink’s ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type 1 certifications further enhance its credibility, making it a go-to choice for institutional projects. Cardano’s exclusion from this high-profile collaboration highlights the competitive edge Chainlink holds in the oracle space, with a 67% market share and $93 billion in secured on-chain value.

Why Cardano’s Exclusion Matters

Cardano’s absence from the U.S. data project raises questions about its strategic positioning. Despite its strengths—peer-reviewed development, a scalable proof-of-stake consensus, and a vibrant community of over 4 million wallet addresses—the blockchain has struggled to secure major institutional partnerships. Critics argue that Cardano’s focus on academic rigor may slow its ability to seize time-sensitive opportunities, as competitors like Ethereum and Solana capitalize on rapid ecosystem growth.

However, Cardano’s fundamentals remain strong. Its Ouroboros protocol ensures energy efficiency, processing transactions at a fraction of Ethereum’s gas costs (under $0.01 per transaction). The network’s Hydra layer-2 solution promises to scale throughput to 1 million transactions per second, a potential game-changer for DeFi and enterprise use cases. These attributes suggest that Cardano could rebound from this setback if it secures the right partnerships.

Strategic Opportunities for Cardano Investors

For investors eyeing ADA’s current setup, here are actionable strategies:

• Buy the Dip: With ADA at $0.34, near the 100-day SMA ($0.33), enter long positions with stop-losses below $0.31. Targets include $0.40 (50-day SMA) and $0.48 (July resistance).
• Monitor Partnership News: Track updates on Aave, USD1, and Chainlink integrations via X accounts like @Cardano and @IOHK_Charles. Positive developments could trigger a 10-15% rally.
• Hedge with LINK: Given Chainlink’s momentum, allocate a portion to LINK ($24.13) to diversify exposure, as its correlation with ADA is low (0.45).
• Watch Market Sentiment: The Crypto Fear & Greed Index at 46 signals caution, but a shift to “neutral” (50+) could lift altcoins, including ADA.

Risks to Cardano’s Outlook

While the potential for growth exists, several risks loom:

• Missed Opportunities: Continued exclusion from high-profile projects could erode investor confidence, especially if competitors like Solana or Polygon gain traction.
• Market Volatility: A broader crypto downturn, with Bitcoin’s historical 6.2% September decline, could pressure ADA below $0.31.
• Integration Delays: Failure to finalize partnerships with Aave or USD1 could delay DeFi growth, capping ADA’s upside.
• Community Sentiment: Persistent criticism on platforms like X could dampen retail enthusiasm, impacting short-term price action.

Why Cardano Remains a Long-Term Contender

Despite its exclusion from the U.S. data project, Cardano’s fundamentals and upcoming catalysts make it a compelling investment:

• Robust Technology: Zero downtime in five years and low-cost transactions position Cardano for mass adoption.
• Growing Ecosystem: Over 1,000 projects in development, spanning DeFi, NFTs, and gaming, signal long-term potential.
• Global Reach: Partnerships in Africa, like World Mobile, aim to connect millions to the internet, boosting real-world utility.
• Community Strength: A loyal base of 4 million+ wallets and active engagement on X counterbalance short-term setbacks.

Final Thoughts: A Pivotal Moment for Cardano

Cardano’s absence from the U.S. government’s blockchain data initiative, driven by Chainlink’s high integration costs, has sparked debate but doesn’t diminish its long-term prospects. At $0.34, ADA is at a critical support level, with potential partnerships with Aave, USD1, and even Chainlink offering pathways to growth. While community criticism highlights challenges in adoption, Cardano’s technical strengths and Hoskinson’s proactive vision suggest it can overcome this hurdle. Investors should monitor partnership developments, market sentiment, and technical levels, balancing optimism with caution in a volatile market. As September unfolds, Cardano could prove its resilience, potentially targeting $0.40-$0.48 if catalysts align.

Todor Tsonev publication: "Cardano Excluded from U.S. Blockchain Data Project: Hoskinson Explains Chainlink Costs, Future Partnerships" was written for 24crypto.news

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