Cardano Ecosystem Gets a Privacy Boost as Midnight’s NIGHT Goes Live
Midnight, a partner chain developed by Input Output, has launched to provide Cardano with a programmable privacy layer using zero-knowledge proofs. It employs a dual-state architecture that separates public and private data, enabling controlled disclosure to enhance privacy.
The launch introduces the NIGHT token, which has doubled in price since listing and is approaching a $1 billion valuation as major exchanges OKX, Bybit, and MEXC have opened markets for trading.
Midnight’s privacy layer is built around zero-knowledge proofs with Compact as the on-chain privacy and smart contract language. Compact is a TypeScript-inspired language that requires developers to specify what data remains private versus public on-chain, aiming to broaden the adoption of zero-knowledge development.
The distribution model plans to release 24 billion NIGHT tokens across eight ecosystems—including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, BNB Chain, and Cardano—via a cross-chain allocation. This approach is designed to foster a shared privacy environment.
Redeeming the Glacier airdrop allocations marks the first of several release periods scheduled through 2026, with liquidity growth likely to influence NIGHT’s price action.
The launch targets practical real-world use cases such as regulated decentralized finance (DeFi) and enterprise data exchange. It ties privacy to broader DeFi activities on Cardano and promotes cross-chain interoperability.
Key metrics to monitor include the integration of Cardano DeFi privacy, bridge volume between Cardano and Midnight, adoption of the Compact language, and the extent of NIGHT token distribution over time.
