On July 15, 2024, Charles Hoskinson, co-founder and CEO of IOG, released a video addressing Donald Trump’s selection of JD Vance as his vice presidential candidate.
JD Vance, born James David Vance on August 2, 1984, in Middletown, Ohio, is an American author, venture capitalist, and politician. He gained widespread recognition with his 2016 memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy,” which provides a poignant account of his upbringing in a poor, working-class family and the social challenges faced by the white working class in Appalachia. The book was a bestseller and later adapted into a Netflix film.
Vance’s early life was marked by instability and hardship, but he managed to escape the cycle of poverty through education, eventually graduating from Ohio State University and Yale Law School. After law school, he worked in the tech industry and venture capital.
In 2021, Vance announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate from Ohio. Running as a Republican, he focused on issues such as economic revitalization and immigration. He won the election and has been serving as a U.S. Senator since January 2023. Vance’s political stance often emphasizes the importance of economic opportunity and cultural renewal for America’s struggling communities.
Broadcasting from Colorado, Hoskinson congratulated Vance, noting Trump’s challenging campaign and a recent assassination attempt. Hoskinson said that Vance’s financial disclosures show he holds over six Bitcoin, making him the only major party VP candidate to have done so.
Hoskinson emphasized Vance’s support for the cryptocurrency industry, particularly his vote for the repeal of SA21 and his critiques of SEC Chairman Gendler’s overreach. He saw Vance as a beneficial advisor for Trump on crypto policy. Despite his acknowledgment of Vance’s strengths, Hoskinson remains an avid supporter of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., believing Kennedy to be the best candidate for president due to his focus on unity and healing the nation’s divisions.
Hoskinson criticized the Biden Administration, describing its policies as harmful to the cryptocurrency industry, citing operation choke point 2.0, anti-clarity on pro-crypto legislation, and regulation through enforcement. He expressed hope for a change in administration, either through Trump or Kennedy, as he believed both candidates were better positioned to support the crypto industry.
Hoskinson’s endorsement of Kennedy was rooted in Kennedy’s unique stance on unity and his ability to address America’s deep divisions without divisive rhetoric. He lamented the systematic exclusion of Kennedy from debates and ballots, highlighting the challenges independent candidates face. Hoskinson condemned the political establishment, pointing out the corporatism and control exerted by large multinational companies over various aspects of American life.
Hoskinson reflected on the broader societal issues, such as chronic illnesses, the obesity epidemic, and environmental concerns. He stressed the importance of sound money and criticized the current state of the U.S. financial system. Hoskinson attributed societal decline to the abandonment of sound money principles and highlighted the role of the cryptocurrency industry in restoring economic integrity.
Hoskinson criticized the political process and the deep state, calling for a constitutional convention and the adoption of blockchain technology to enact meaningful change. He acknowledged the challenges ahead but remained optimistic about the future, emphasizing the need for unity and the tireless pursuit of new economic, political, and social systems.
In closing, Hoskinson congratulated JD Vance and reiterated his support for Kennedy. He expressed hope that the American people would make a wise choice in the upcoming election and committed to working with the new administration to advance the cryptocurrency movement.
