Cardano Network Halts After Targeted Attack on Founder's Pool, Sparks Intense Debate
The Cardano blockchain experienced a significant and unexpected disruption on November 21, 2025, when a corrupted transaction aimed at founder Charles Hoskinson's personal stake pool caused the network to split for several hours. This incident has not only exposed potential vulnerabilities but has also ignited a heated discussion within the community regarding the attacker's motives and the network's resilience.
Cardano Foundation Targeted, Network Disrupted
The disruption began when a stake pool operator, reportedly following unverified AI-generated instructions, submitted a malformed transaction. This action exploited an obscure 2022 cryptographic library bug, leading newer nodes to incorrectly parse the transaction while older ones rejected it. The immediate consequence was a chain split, fragmenting block production and leaving validators, DeFi protocols, and everyday users struggling for alignment for several hours. While user funds remained secure, many stake pool operators reported losing block rewards due to the unforeseen event. The operator later admitted the situation was a result of "poor judgment" and a "reckless" personal challenge, denying any financial or collaborative malicious intent.
Hoskinson Claims Deliberate Sabotage, Not Accidental Oversight
Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson vehemently rejected the notion that the attack was an accidental mistake. He asserted that the individual responsible had been actively involved in online groups known for their hostility towards Cardano and its leadership for months. According to Hoskinson, the attacker meticulously planned ways to disrupt the project's operations and reputation, directly targeting his personal stake pool to maximize impact. This calculated move, in his view, underscored the intentionality behind the act, highlighting that the disruption impacted every network user, causing missed earnings for operators, stalling parts of the DeFi ecosystem, and forcing developers into rapid emergency fixes. The incident has left the Cardano community sharply divided, oscillating between narratives of a reckless experiment gone awry and a premeditated act of sabotage. While Cardano swiftly recovered, the attack has raised critical questions about how the network will fortify itself against future potential threats, whether they stem from misguided experimentation or malicious intent. The episode serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance required for decentralized systems to maintain integrity and security.
