LIBRA Scandal Deepens: New Evidence Reveals Cardano Proposal, Hoskinson Says He Rejected

The LIBRA scandal surrounding Argentine President Javier Milei has taken another dramatic turn. New forensic evidence obtained from investigative files reveals an unsigned draft contract that would have positioned Cardano—and its founder Charles Hoskinson—as key players in Argentina’s web3 policy development. According to the documents, Hoskinson rejected the proposal .

Forensic Evidence Reveals Cardano Proposal

The evidence, recovered from the phone of Mauricio Novelli—a central figure in the LIBRA scandal—includes an unsigned agreement dated November 27, 2024. The contract was between Novelli, Manuel Terrones Godoy, and Sergio Morales (identified as “Argentina Partners”) and Kelsier Holdings Limited, a company tied to American entrepreneur Hayden Davis .

The agreement contained specific clauses aimed at advancing Cardano’s interests in Argentina. Under a section titled “Support for Cardano Initiatives,” the contract proposed:

Ensure that the Argentine government and relevant figures align their efforts with Cardano’s strategic objectives (if and when the IOG/Cardano deal is signed), which include:

• Position Charles Hoskinson as a key contributor to public policies on web3 technology in Argentina.
• Coordinate private discussions with key leaders to explore the future of Argentina and assess potential participation in relevant events, such as the Cardano Constitutional Convention planned for December.

IOG refers to Input Output Global, the software development company behind Cardano. The Cardano Constitutional Convention took place in Buenos Aires roughly a month after this contract was drafted .

The Financial Terms: $300,000 Upfront and Monthly Payments

The contract’s financial terms were substantial. Under the “Terms” section, the agreement specified:

1. Revenue Split:

A 65/35 revenue split on all deals that come through this partnership, with 65% allocated to [Kelsier Holdings Limited] and 35% allocated to [Argentina Partners].

2. Initial Payment:

An initial payment of $300,000 for the first month, with $150,000 already paid. The remaining $150,000 will be paid upon the signature of this agreement.

3. Ongoing Monthly Payment:

A monthly payment of $250,000, starting on January 1, 2025, and continuing on the first of each month thereafter.

The agreement was dated effective November 2024 but noted it was executed on October 16, 2024. It also stated that support for Cardano initiatives would only go into effect “if and when the IOG/Cardano deal is signed.” It remains unclear who would have been responsible for the payments .

Hoskinson Rejected the Proposal

According to statements made in a February 2024 livestream, the Cardano founder addressed the proposal directly. He explained that the offer was sent to his team but was not something they understood or agreed would be productive. The proposal was politely declined. He also stated that he never directly communicated with Milei or his staff about the offer and could not establish what the relationship actually was .

No evidence has surfaced showing that Hoskinson signed or authorized the draft agreement .

Novelli’s Phone Reveals Communication

The DATIP archive also included personal chats Novelli had with various actors. In a folder labeled “Charles Hoskinson,” only one chat appeared. It contained an audio file dated November 15, 2024. The archive did not include the contents of that audio file .

According to the complainants, DATIP was unable to recover those lost files .

The Argentina Tech Forum Connection

The evidence also revealed group chats among organizers of the Argentina Tech Forum, held in Buenos Aires in October 2024. Hoskinson was a keynote speaker at the event, while Milei delivered the closing address. Novelli and Terrones Godoy were the forum’s main organizers—the same individuals named in the draft contract .

According to one group chat, Hoskinson purchased a “black membership,” the event’s highest sponsorship tier, which cost $50,000. The package included a keynote speaking slot and a panel slot .

In his February 2024 livestream, Hoskinson recounted his experience at the forum, explaining that organizers had promised him a sit-down with President Milei—a meeting that never materialized beyond a handshake and group photo. He also revealed that these promises soon turned into requests for bribes, which he declined, noting that such actions would violate the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Following that response, the dialogue stopped .

Call Logs Reveal Milei-Novelli Contact Around LIBRA Launch

The forensic evidence also revealed call logs showing direct communication between Milei, his sister Karina Milei, and Novelli on the day of the LIBRA launch. Minutes before the token launched, Novelli attempted to call Karina Milei, then Javier Milei. They spoke briefly, and Novelli and Milei exchanged several calls within minutes .

Shortly after, Milei published the now-infamous LIBRA tweet. According to research firm Nansen, 86% of traders who invested in the token lost money .

This latest evidence adds to a growing body of material suggesting that the LIBRA scandal was not an isolated incident. Reports indicate that Milei had participated in a nearly identical scheme months earlier, helping launch the KIP token with the same key actors—Novelli and Terrones Godoy .

Sources: DATIP, Charles Hoskinson (livestream), Argentina Tech Forum documents.