From TenX to Bake: The Rise and Fall of Julian Hosp’s Crypto Ventures

Dr. Julian Hosp, a name that has become synonymous with ambition and controversy in the cryptocurrency world, has once again made headlines.

The sale of Bake to GS Fintech UAB, a subsidiary of GSTechnologies Limited, marks a significant chapter in the career of Dr. Julian Hosp. However, it also brings to light the tumultuous history, struggles, and scandals that have accompanied Hosp's entrepreneurial journey in the cryptocurrency world.

Hosp first gained widespread attention as the co-founder and president of TenX, a company that aimed to create a cryptocurrency payment system. Despite early success and significant hype, TenX failed to deliver on its promises.

The project struggled with product development, regulatory challenges, and internal disputes. Hosp eventually stepped down from his leadership role in January 2019, citing mutual agreement among the founders. However, his departure raised questions about the stability of the company and the feasibility of its vision.

After leaving TenX, Hosp co-founded Bake, which later became associated with the DeFiChain ecosystem. Bake aimed to bring decentralized finance (DeFi) solutions to a broader audience, offering services such as staking and liquidity mining. However, Bake's journey has been far from smooth.

CryptoTicker reported earlier this year on Bake's financial troubles, including substantial layoffs and liquidity issues. The platform's struggles were exacerbated by market downturns and the inherent volatility of the cryptocurrency sector. The DeFiChain token (DFI), central to Bake's operations, experienced a catastrophic decline from its all-time high of $4.8 in 2021 to just $0.045 recently. Hosp himself has pointed fingers at co-founder U-Zyn Chua, accusing him of legal maneuvers that derailed the company's prospects.

Hosp's career has been marred by a series of controversies that have cast a shadow over his entrepreneurial ventures. Critics have accused him of overpromising and underdelivering, a recurring theme from TenX to Bake. His public persona as a crypto influencer and YouTuber has also drawn scrutiny, with detractors questioning the ethics of his promotional activities.

CryptoTicker has documented various instances where Hosp's actions have raised eyebrows:

In 2021, Hosp was accused of promoting a "scam coin" called Losercoin, which experienced a rapid decline in value shortly after its launch. Despite initially denying involvement, Hosp later admitted to promoting the coin but claimed he was unaware of its true nature.

Hosp's promotional activities have also extended to NFTs, specifically the Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC) collection. While Hosp has expressed enthusiasm for BAYC NFTs, critics have questioned the objectivity of his statements, given his close relationship with Yuga Labs, the creators of BAYC.

In 2022, Hosp was criticized for allegedly using his influence to manipulate the price of DFI tokens, an accusation he has strongly denied. However, the investigation into Hosp's activities by the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) remains ongoing.

Despite the controversies and setbacks, Hosp remains a polarizing figure in the cryptocurrency world. His supporters laud his ambition and vision, while his detractors express skepticism and concern over his tactics. As the dust settles on Bake's acquisition, it remains to be seen what the future holds for Hosp and his ventures in the ever-evolving landscape of digital assets.