Midnight’s NIGHT Launch Brings Enhanced Privacy to the Cardano Ecosystem

Cardano Adds Privacy Layer with Midnight’s NIGHT Token Launch

Cardano’s privacy ambitions moved forward this week with the launch of Midnight’s NIGHT token, which has already doubled in value since debut. Trading was volatile initially, but NIGHT rebounded quickly, nearing a $1 billion valuation as OKX, Bybit, and MEXC opened markets. Activity was also driven by users redeeming allocations from the ‘Glacier’ airdrop, the first of multiple releases through 2026.

Midnight’s Privacy Architecture
Developed by Input Output, Midnight is a partner chain providing Cardano with a programmable privacy layer using zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs). Its dual-state architecture separates public and private data while enabling selective disclosure to auditors, institutions, or counterparties.

The network maintains two parallel ledgers—one public, one encrypted—allowing applications to reveal only necessary information. This design supports regulated DeFi, enterprise data exchange, identity frameworks, and financial products that cannot operate on fully transparent chains.

Smart Contracts and Cross-Chain Strategy
Midnight uses Compact, a TypeScript-inspired smart contract language, to make ZK development accessible. NIGHT’s 24 billion token supply was distributed across eight ecosystems—including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, BNB Chain, and Cardano—encouraging cross-chain adoption.

Key metrics include Cardano DeFi privacy adoption, bridge volume, Compact usage, and token distribution. With Midnight, Cardano gains a privacy and compliance layer that could reshape value transfer and DeFi activity in 2026 and beyond.