- Charles Hoskinson announced he’s not participating in the Web Summit.
- Hoskinson’s abstention follows the controversy stemming from the Web Summit CEO’s comments.
- The Cardano Founder shared that he will be holding an AMA session instead.
Web Summit, one of the world’s largest fintech events, finds itself in the eye of a storm after its founder, Paddy Cosgrave, stirred the pot with his contentious views. What was primed to be a grand gathering of over 70,000 attendees now witnesses a mass exodus, with many heavyweights backing out, including Cardano Founder Charles Hoskinson.
Charles Hoskinson Steers Clear of Politics
On Friday, October 20, Charles Hoskinson announced his exit from the upcoming Web Summit in Lisbon, owing to the controversy stemming from Paddy Cosgrave’s political statements on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
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Hoskinson didn’t mince words, expressing his concerns about the event taking on political connotations. The Cardano Founder emphasized that he wanted to talk about synthetic biology and focus on new ideas and experiences; however, the event has taken a turn for the worse.
To offer reprieve to the thousands of attendees, Hoskinson said he would host a five-hour online AMA session soon.
Paddy Cosgrave’s Untimely Comments
Tensions surrounding the event escalated when Paddy Cosgrave characterized Israel’s response to the Hamas-led October 7 attack as ‘war crimes.’ However, before Cosgrave could clarify his position, these remarks ignited a firestorm of controversy on social media platforms, prompting investors and founders to declare a boycott of the event due to what they perceived as a ‘Pro Hamas’ stance.
In response to the backlash, Cosgrave issued an apology, denouncing the heinous attack and expressing sympathy for the families of the victims and innocent lives lost in the conflict. While acknowledging Israel’s right to defend itself and exist, he also called upon them to adhere to international law and the Geneva Convention when addressing the conflict.
However, despite Cosgrave’s apology, his explanation failed to gain widespread acceptance within the community, with many still distancing themselves from the event.
On the Flipside
- Community members have linked several controversial articles in which Paddy Cosgrave condemns Israel.
- Israel recently froze over 100 crypto accounts with Hamas links with help from Binance.
Why This Matters
Charles Hoskinson’s decision to distance himself from Web Summit reflects his commitment to steering clear of political controversies and maintaining the focus on technology and innovation.
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