AMA Reveals Potential Deals

During a September 1 AMA, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson revealed that the network is in talks with both World Liberty Financial (WLFI) and Chainlink. He described these potential collaborations as crucial steps for expanding Cardano’s role in the competitive blockchain market.

Hoskinson said that Cardano’s relevance depends on forming alliances with projects already demonstrating wide adoption. His comments reflect a strategy aimed at strengthening Cardano’s utility through partnerships rather than relying solely on internal development.

WLFI’s USD1 Stablecoin in Focus

A significant portion of the discussion revolved around WLFI’s USD1 stablecoin. Launched earlier this year on Ethereum, BNB Chain, and later Tron, USD1 quickly grew to become the fifth-largest stablecoin with a market capitalization of about $2.68 billion.

Hoskinson noted that Cardano “can land that deal”, referring to ongoing discussions between IOG Chief of Staff J.J. Siler and WLFI CEO Zach Witkoff. Should integration move forward, USD1 would be the largest stablecoin on Cardano, potentially driving more liquidity and user activity.

WLFI has been expanding across multiple networks and is preparing to launch USD1 on Solana as well. For Cardano, securing integration would mean gaining access to a stablecoin that has already established traction on other blockchains.

Progress Toward Chainlink Collaboration

Hoskinson also emphasized Cardano’s intention to collaborate with Chainlink, though he acknowledged the process may take longer. He described the requested integration terms as “absurd” but added that Cardano would “handle it”.

He praised Chainlink founder Sergey Nazarov, calling him a strong negotiator and recognizing Chainlink’s significance in decentralized oracles. Recent developments highlight Chainlink’s growing profile, including partnerships with the U.S. Department of Commerce and adoption by institutional firms.

If achieved, integration with Chainlink would provide Cardano with access to real-world data feeds already in use by governments and enterprises. Hoskinson positioned this as essential for staying competitive against US based cryptocurrencies and other major blockchain platforms.

Broader Partnership Ambitions

Beyond WLFI and Chainlink, Hoskinson expressed interest in exploring additional collaborations, including with Aave. “I’d like USD1, I’d like Aave, I’d like Chainlink”, he said, framing these as part of a broader package of integrations that could expand Cardano’s decentralized finance offerings.

These moves align with Cardano’s cross-chain strategy, which has recently included plans to integrate XRP functionality into its Lace wallet by the end of 2025. That integration, following discussions with Ripple’s leadership, underscores Cardano’s shift toward building external partnerships to boost utility.

Why These Partnerships Matter

The timing of these announcements coincides with market interest in Cardano’s performance. ADA has been trading near technical resistance levels, with analysts highlighting $0.88 and $0.96 as critical points. While price movements fluctuate, Hoskinson’s strategy signals that Cardano views partnerships as central to its long-term growth.

By aligning with WLFI’s USD1 stablecoin and Chainlink’s oracle services, Cardano could improve its competitiveness and attract more developers and institutional interest. Hoskinson reiterated that in the blockchain space, technological capability often drives adoption, a point highlighted by the U.S. government’s reliance on Chainlink for economic data.

Related read: US Government to Publish Economic Data Onchain Initiative

Looking Ahead

Hoskinson teases partnerships with WLFI and Chainlink as Cardano works to broaden its ecosystem and meet rising expectations in the blockchain market. While negotiations are ongoing and outcomes remain uncertain, the effort reflects a deliberate strategy to secure stablecoin liquidity, integrate real-world data, and remain competitive alongside US based cryptocurrencies.