What is Midnight (NIGHT)?

Midnight (NIGHT) is a privacy-focused blockchain built on the Cardano ecosystem, designed to enable programmable privacy while maintaining regulatory compliance. Developed by Charles Hoskinson, the co-founder of Ethereum and founder of Cardano, Midnight aims to restore one of crypto’s original promises: allowing users and businesses to verify truth on-chain without exposing sensitive data.

Unlike traditional public blockchains where all transaction data and metadata are fully transparent, Midnight introduces a fourth-generation blockchain architecture that balances privacy, utility, and compliance. It enables developers to build applications where users can selectively disclose information only when required—without sacrificing decentralization or security.

Midnight operates in the Privacy-Enhancing Technology (PET) vertical and is designed for use cases across DeFi, identity, AI, governance, and enterprise workflows, where data protection is critical.

Key Features of Midnight (NIGHT)

• Built on Cardano: Inherits Cardano’s research-driven approach, security model, and long-term scalability vision.
  
  
• Zero-Knowledge Smart Contracts: Enables applications to verify outcomes without revealing underlying data.
  
  
• Dual-State Ledger Architecture: Combines public and private states to protect both transaction data and metadata.
  
  
• Programmable Privacy: Supports selective disclosure for regulatory and enterprise-grade applications.
  
  
• Developer-Friendly Stack: Uses a TypeScript-based smart contract framework, lowering the barrier for mainstream developers.
  
  
• Composable Privacy: ZK circuits can interact with other applications without breaking privacy guarantees.
  
  
• Future-Ready Design: Roadmap includes ZSwap (privacy-preserving exchange) and modular integrations via Substrate.
  
  

How Does Midnight Work?

Midnight uses zero-knowledge (ZK) proofs to validate transactions and application logic without revealing private inputs. Its execution engine, based on Kachina research and Pluto–Eris cryptography, produces scalable BLS-type proofs that allow composable privacy at the protocol level.

The network operates with a public–private dual-state ledger, where sensitive data remains shielded while verification occurs on-chain. Developers can build smart contracts that support fee abstraction, selective disclosure, and compliance logic directly into ZK circuits—making Midnight suitable for both decentralized and regulated environments.

What is the NIGHT Token and Its Use Cases?

NIGHT is the unshielded native utility and governance token of the Midnight Network. Unlike traditional privacy coins, NIGHT itself is transparent, ensuring accountability at the network level.

Key uses of NIGHT include:

• Network Security: Used in consensus and protocol-level incentives.
  
  
• DUST Generation: NIGHT is used to generate DUST, a non-transferable, shielded resource required for metadata-private transactions.
  
  
• Governance Participation: Enables protocol governance and ecosystem decision-making.
  
  
• Ecosystem Incentives: Rewards developers, validators, and participants building privacy-preserving applications.

NIGHT Coin History

Midnight (NIGHT) is the native token of the Midnight Network, a privacy-focused blockchain built on the Cardano ecosystem and developed under the direction of Charles Hoskinson, Cardano’s founder and Ethereum co-founder.

Launch and Distribution Timeline

• December 9, 2025 – Token Generation Event (TGE):
  NIGHT officially launched alongside the Midnight Network, marking the public rollout of its zero-knowledge–based, dual-token architecture (NIGHT and DUST).
  
  
• December 16, 2025 – Initial Launchpool Distributions:
  NIGHT distribution began through Launchpool/GemPool programs on KuCoin and Bybit, allowing users to earn tokens via staking participation rather than a traditional ICO.
  
  
• December 23, 2025 – Gate.io Launchpool:
  Gate.io hosted a Launchpool campaign for NIGHT, expanding early access and increasing token circulation across multiple exchanges.

Where to Buy Midnight (NIGHT)?

Midnight (NIGHT) is actively traded across major Crypto  Exchanges.

CEX Listings include:
Binance, Coinbase Exchange, OKX, KuCoin, HTX, MEXC, Kraken, Bitget, Bybit, Gate, LBank, BitMart, BingX, AscendEX, CoinW, Bitvavo, Bitstamp, Crypto.com, and several regional exchanges.

Supported Wallets to Store Midnight (NIGHT)

Midnight supports a wide range of secure wallets suitable for both active use and long-term storage.

Supported wallets include:
Ledger, Trezor, Trust Wallet, MetaMask, Phantom, Rabby Wallet, Coinbase Wallet, Crypto.com Wallet