Cardano Founder Confirms XRP DeFi Still Coming

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has said that plans to bring $XRP to Cardano’s DeFi ecosystem are still moving forward.

The conversation began when Big Pey, a well-known Cardano content creator, asked about the status of plans for $XRP DeFi on Cardano. This question comes as Solana has successfully welcomed $XRP into its DeFi ecosystem.

Now, Cardano proponents are wondering when a similar initiative will unfold, considering previous discussions about $XRP and Cardano DeFi. In particular, an X user directly tagged Hoskinson to ask whether the integration was still happening.

Key Points

• Charles Hoskinson confirms $XRP DeFi is still planned for Cardano, despite ongoing questions around decentralization.
• The discussion gained traction as Solana successfully launched wXRP, integrating $XRP into its DeFi ecosystem.
• Hoskinson’s remarks on $XRP governance sparked fresh debate between Cardano and Ripple communities.
• While Solana moves ahead with adoption, Cardano’s $XRP DeFi integration remains under development.

Hoskinson Responds to $XRP DeFi Questions

Hoskinson responded affirmatively, saying “yes,” confirming that $XRP DeFi is still expected to come to Cardano.

Meanwhile, he added that if criticism of a single individual’s conduct or lobbying efforts can disrupt the $XRP ecosystem, then it raises questions about how decentralized it truly is.

His comment has sparked renewed debate between the Cardano and $XRP communities, given the history of tension between the two ecosystems.

yes. If $XRP is so centralized that criticism of a single person's conduct and lobbying means the ecosystem is shut off, then they aren't decentralized.

— Charles Hoskinson (@IOHK_Charles) April 17, 2026

Solana Adds Fuel With wXRP Launch

The discussion comes at a time when Solana is rapidly integrating $XRP into its DeFi ecosystem.

Solana recently announced that $XRP is now live on its network via wrapped $XRP (wXRP), enabled by infrastructure providers such as Hex Trust and LayerZero.

The wrapped asset is backed 1:1 with $XRP locked on the $XRP Ledger, allowing users to move liquidity into Solana-based applications. This opens up use cases like trading, yield generation, and memecoin participation across Solana DeFi platforms.

Solana Exec Buys $XRP

Adding to the momentum, Solana executive Vibhu Norby revealed he purchased $10,000 worth of $XRP on Solana, acquiring over 6,500 wXRP.

He pointed to the growing opportunities around $XRP in DeFi, including yield strategies and trading. Meanwhile, Norby noted he would speak further on the topic at an upcoming $XRP-focused event in Las Vegas.

Ongoing Tensions Between Cardano and Ripple

This latest exchange also fits into a popular pattern of disagreements between Hoskinson and Ripple leadership.

Earlier this year, Hoskinson publicly criticized Brad Garlinghouse over his support for the Clarity Act. While Garlinghouse argued that the bill provides regulatory certainty, Hoskinson warned that accepting imperfect laws could give regulators too much power.

The disagreement drew mixed reactions across the crypto community. Some back Hoskinson’s stance, while others defend Ripple’s push for imperfect regulation following its long legal battle with the U.S. SEC.

$XRP’s Expanding Role Across Chains

As $XRP continues to expand beyond its native network, competition between ecosystems like Cardano and Solana to attract $XRP liquidity is becoming more visible.

While Solana already has wXRP live and gaining traction, Cardano’s integration remains in development. However, Hoskinson’s latest comments suggest it is still on the roadmap.