What Is the Midnight Project?

Source: midnight.network

Midnight is a privacy-focused smart contract platform developed by Input Output Global (IOG), which is the parent company of Cardano. By leveraging cutting-edge cryptographic technologies such as zero-knowledge proofs (ZK Proofs), Midnight empowers developers to create privacy-preserving DApps while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Midnight’s core mission is to address the severe lack of user privacy in today’s blockchain landscape. It also aims to equip both enterprises and individuals with robust privacy protection tools.

How Is Midnight Connected to Cardano?

Midnight is not an independent blockchain; it functions as Cardano’s official Layer 2 network. The platform is tightly integrated with the Cardano mainnet in governance (ADA holder participation), funding, and development roadmap.

This means the Midnight airdrop on Cardano distributes NIGHT—the native token of the Midnight project—to the Cardano community, primarily ADA holders.

Midnight Airdrop Eligibility Criteria

To date, details of the Midnight airdrop have been officially released:

• Snapshot date: July 31, 2025 (UTC)
• Eligible participants: ADA stakers
• Minimum balance: At least 1 ADA to qualify; higher balances earn larger allocations
• Staking requirement: Use a non-custodial wallet that supports native Cardano staking (e.g., Lace, Eternl, or Yoroi)

Midnight’s snapshot process mirrors the approach that Ethereum Layer 2s such as Arbitrum and Starknet use, and this ensures precise airdrop allocation to active Cardano users.

How to Get Ready for the NIGHT Airdrop

1. Check if your wallet is actively staking: Use tools like pool.pm to verify your address status.
2. Link your wallet (if required): Midnight’s official website plans to launch wallet binding functionality in August.
3. Monitor official updates: Follow Midnight_Network and InputOutputHK on social media for the latest news.
4. Protect against phishing: Once the airdrop claim site goes live, always verify the web address ends with the official domain (.io / .org).

NIGHT Token Utility and Potential

NIGHT serves as the native token of the Midnight network, with core functions including:

• Paying for fees for privacy-preserving transactions
• Voting in Midnight governance
• Incentivizing nodes that run privacy DApps
• Potential future use as cross-chain collateral for privacy-preserving asset bridges

Many consider NIGHT one of the most technically advanced and strategically valuable assets in the Cardano ecosystem due to its close ties to privacy technology.

Risk Management and Participation Tips

• Never share your seed phrase or sign unknown messages in advance
• Any website that claims you must pay transaction fees to claim the airdrop is almost certainly a scam
• Avoid storing ADA on centralized exchanges for airdrop participation

Recommendation: For new users, holding 100 to 1000 ADA and staking through official wallets is currently the safest strategy.

Conclusion

The Midnight airdrop on Cardano offers a major benefit to long-term ADA holders and serves as an entryway into the next generation of privacy networks. Prepare your wallet, steer clear of scams. You’ll be well-positioned to claim the NIGHT airdrop—helping you secure your place in the future of blockchain privacy.