Chain Abstraction: How Charles Hoskinson Plans to Unite the Blockchain World

Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano and one of Ethereum’s original architects, has emerged as a vocal advocate for the rising concept of chain abstraction. 

His appearance at Paris Blockchain Week 2025 made headlines, as he claimed that abstraction could soon allow Cardano to interact directly with leading L1s like Solana, Ethereum, and even Bitcoin.

Background

The more blockchains that enter the space, the more apparent the core issue becomes: these networks don’t speak the same language. Each operates with its own logic, standards, tokens, and protocols. 

This fragmentation creates friction not only for newcomers, who must learn the nuances of each chain, but also for experienced users, who often have to switch between separate accounts just to interact across networks.

Abstraction offers a way to make cross-chain interaction as effortless as switching tabs in a web browser. 

The Coinomist covered the concept a year and a half ago in an exclusive interview with another leading voice in the space—Illia Polosukhin, co-founder of NEAR Protocol. 

What Is Chain Abstraction? 

Imagine using a single decentralized application that quietly connects to multiple blockchains in the background, without you ever realizing it.

There’s no need to learn how each network functions, because everything runs through one streamlined interface.

Chain abstraction works like a universal translator for blockchains. It handles the technical heavy lifting, allowing users and developers to interact across ecosystems while staying in the environment they know. 

Midnight and Minotaur

To demonstrate the concept in practice, Charles Hoskinson and his team at Input Output Global (IOG) introduced Midnight. 

This new blockchain platform uses a hybrid consensus mechanism called Minotaur. It combines elements of Proof-of-Work and Proof-of-Stake, with plans to incorporate Proof-of-History in future iterations. 

This layered approach allows participants from different blockchains to collaborate without the need to fully migrate to a new network for specific tasks. 

Instead, users can remain on their native platforms while contributing to Midnight’s security.

The Problem Abstraction Aims to Solve

Today’s blockchain infrastructure looks more like a patchwork quilt, loosely stitched together. Most networks operate in silos, and interacting across chains often requires clunky bridges and intermediary protocols. 

This lack of cohesion stifles growth and turns the user experience into a burdensome task. Add to this the rising demand for privacy and regulatory compliance, and it becomes clear: the current model needs a redesign. 

For example, Midnight supports smart contracts powered by zero-knowledge proofs, enabling private transactions that still comply with existing legal frameworks.

This model brings a host of advantages:

1. Users don’t need to understand the specifics of every new blockchain to start using it.
2. Developers can build applications that operate seamlessly across multiple chains.
3. The user experience becomes smooth and intuitive.
4. Cross-chain staking opens up entirely new opportunities for earning yield.
5. Zero-knowledge proofs offer a path to privacy that stays within legal bounds.

It all sounds compelling, but also raises plenty of questions:

1. Every blockchain runs on its own standards. If abstraction is meant to eliminate the need for bridges, converters, and adapters, how do you make such a system work flawlessly?
2. Different blockchains operate at different speeds, use different finality mechanisms, and even define time differently. How do you ensure coordination across such diverse systems? That’s a major headache.
3. Cross-chain bridges have long been a favorite target for hackers. Can abstraction truly eliminate those vulnerabilities?
4. Could the rise of abstraction lead to a wave of new middleware layers, each one adding complexity, soaking up VC money, and drawing users away from core protocols? 
5. When one protocol upgrades, how do you maintain compatibility across the broader system? Abstraction will demand clear rules and reliable mechanisms for cross-network coordination.

Related: What is Account Abstraction? Key Concepts and Benefits Explained

When Could Cardano Deliver on Chain Abstraction?

Chain abstraction is a bold, technically demanding vision. Moreover, it’s not the kind of project that promises quick returns. 

Cardano itself has yet to fulfill all the milestones outlined in its own roadmap. Charles Hoskinson has often drawn criticism for overly optimistic timelines and delays in delivery. At one point, Forbes even included Cardano in its crypto zombie ranking.

Whether one team can tackle this challenge alone is doubtful. Most likely, abstraction will require cooperation from developers across other chains—the very ones Hoskinson hopes to connect. 

Cardano’s road to implementation could be long and difficult, demanding not only technical innovation but extensive coordination across ecosystems. 

Still, it’s not impossible. Much depends on whether Hoskinson is genuinely committed to the vision, or simply used the stage in Paris to spark renewed interest in Cardano.

Hoskinson is no stranger to bold predictions about blockchain’s future, and his ideas often divide the community. For more on his long-term outlook, read our article: Charles Hoskinson—The U.S. Will Adopt Blockchain at Scale Within 5 Years.