- Charles Hoskinson’s interview suggested that Tinder and social media apps should integrate blockchain into their services, but did not explicitly mention any brewing collaboration between Cardano and those platforms.
- One of Cardano’s primary use cases is on Digital Identity and Credentials, positioning it strategically at the forefront of its founder’s proposition.
A new video circulating on social media featuring Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano (ADA) and CEO of Input Output (IO), has recently sparked discussion of a possible collaboration between the institutions linked to him and Tinder, the world’s most popular dating app.
Hoskinson Suggests Tinder Should Integrate Blockchain Tech
In an interview with Jennifer Sanasie, Senior Anchor of CoinDesk, Hoskinson recommended that Tinder should integrate its services on a blockchain. He argued that it would prevent catfishing, the process of deceiving someone online with an assumed persona, and any forms of fakery among the users of the platform.
According to Hoskinson, the process would allow individuals to easily verify identity, height, personal income, looks, location, and other credentials. He also suggested fusing the same feature across social media networks and online gaming platforms.
The Cardano founder believes that the fusion of blockchain infrastructure with dating, gaming, and social media apps could immediately onboard 2 billion to 3 billion users onchain. Additionally, he stated that it could “change everything,” and that consumers will not care whether a token or blockchain is involved. It’s similar to how people don’t concern themselves with the underlying technologies of the internet, like TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), or where it gets its power, because they only care about its use and how it makes things more convenient for everyone.
Hoskinson urged crypto industry players to stop “overifnancializing” everything, such as focusing too much on token launches and speculations. He explained that with 11 million tokens launched last year, the old model, which solely rode the hype train, is no longer sustainable, and “nothing is gonna go to the moon” unless they start getting people involved by solving real-world problems to change the narrative.
Possibility of a Tinder and Cardano Blockchain Tie-Up
Commenters on Altcoin Daily’s video featuring Hoskinson’s interview mostly dismissed the idea, but some found merit in his proposal. Nicole Farrar, co-CEO of o1Labs, pointed out that blockchain-powered identity verification, particularly using ZKPs (zero-knowledge proofs), would prevent underage users from entering, data leaks, easy re-entry by banned individuals, and trickery using deepfakes or AI (artificial intelligence).
Although Hoskinson never mentioned linking Tinder to Cardano or its Midnight (NIGHT) sidechain, it’s worth noting that providing decentralized Digital Identity solutions is one of Cardano’s primary use cases. Its blockchain-based identity capability utilizes ZKPs to eliminate or significantly mitigate the proliferation of deceptive tactics and tools plaguing dating apps, social media, and other platforms.
Furthermore, combining privacy-focused networks like Midnight will allow users to exchange or disclose information relevant only to their queries or requirements without exposing other personal details. For example, they can prove they’re above 18 without revealing their birthdate, display their location without showing their GPS coordinates, prove they meet certain physical criteria without divulging their medical or biometric records, and more.
