In an unprecedented move poised to reshape the way blockchain projects distribute tokens, Midnight Network, a privacy-first sidechain built on the Cardano ecosystem, has announced its massive “Glacier Drop“, an airdrop of 24 billion NIGHT tokens.
Unlike typical airdrops limited to a single blockchain community, Midnight’s initiative spans eight major networks, marking a significant shift toward inclusive, multi-chain user engagement.
What Is the Glacier Drop?
The Glacier Drop is Midnight Network’s inaugural airdrop event, distributing NIGHT, the governance token of its ecosystem, to over 37 million users.
Eligibility was determined by a snapshot taken on June 11, 2025, and applies to holders of at least $100 worth of tokens on the following chains:
4. Ripple (XRP)
5. Solana (SOL)
8. Basic Attention Token (BAT)
NIGHT Token Allocation Breakdown
The 24 billion NIGHT tokens will be distributed as follows:
1. 50% (12 billion) to Cardano (ADA) holders
2. 20% (4.8 billion) to Bitcoin (BTC) holders
3. 30% (7.2 billion) shared among ETH, XRP, SOL, BNB, AVAX, and BAT holders
Vesting Schedule & Redemption
Eligible users will not receive their tokens all at once. Instead, the distribution follows a vesting model:
1. 25% unlock every 90 days
2. Full unlock completed in 360 days
Tokens will initially be locked in smart contracts on the Cardano network, and users must claim them within a 60-day window (July–August 2025).
Unclaimed tokens will be redirected to the Scavenger Mine, where they can be earned through computational mining. A Lost-and-Found phase will follow for those who missed the initial claim period.
What Is the Midnight Network?
First revealed in 2023 and developed by Input Output (IO), the team behind Cardano, Midnight Network is designed to support confidential smart contracts using Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs).
Unlike traditional privacy coins such as Monero or Zcash, Midnight allows selective disclosure, giving users control over what data is shared and with whom.
Key use cases include:
1. Privacy-preserving DeFi
2. Confidential medical and identity data storage
3. Secure enterprise-grade blockchain interactions
Midnight aims to bridge the gap between privacy and compliance, enabling real-world use without compromising on data protection.
NIGHT and DUST: The Dual Token Model
Midnight’s ecosystem will run on a two-token system:
1. NIGHT: Used for governance and staking
2. DUST: A utility token used for private transactions and executing smart contracts
Unlike most blockchain projects that reserve large token shares for VCs and insiders, Midnight is entirely user-focused. 100% of NIGHT tokens in the initial phase are designated for the community.
Bridging to XRP: DeFi Without Moving Coins
One of the most innovative features of Midnight is its upcoming DeFi bridge to the XRP Ledger. This bridge allows XRP holders to engage in staking, lending, and liquidity provision, without transferring tokens off-chain.
By leveraging confidential smart contracts, the bridge ensures privacy while expanding XRP’s functionality. Additionally, Midnight is exploring compatibility with RLUSD (Ripple’s stablecoin) and Cardano’s Lace wallet, signaling deeper interoperability.
How Midnight Differs From Other Airdrops
The Glacier Drop is being compared to recent airdrops from Jupiter and Starknet, both of which distributed billions in tokens. Yet, Midnight sets itself apart in several key ways:
1. Largest by participant count: 37 million eligible addresses
2. No VC involvement: Community-first approach
3. Cross-chain reach: Touches multiple blockchain ecosystems
4. Strong privacy framework: Built with ZKPs for selective transparency
5. Post-airdrop utility: Real-world use cases beyond speculation
By focusing on network-wide inclusion instead of quick financial gain, Midnight may redefine the future of token distribution.
What Comes Next?
The Midnight Network is currently in testnet, with a full mainnet launch expected in late 2025, approximately 90 days after the Glacier Drop.
Updates on the claiming process, integrations, and mainnet features are expected in the coming months.
This project could spark a new era of decentralized, privacy-respecting finance, prioritizing community ownership and cross-chain interoperability.
Conclusion
The Glacier Drop isn’t just an airdrop, it’s a vision for the future of blockchain privacy and community-led growth.
With 24 billion tokens, a dual-token system, and support for eight major blockchain networks, Midnight is poised to become a cornerstone of Web3’s next evolution.
For anyone interested in the convergence of privacy, DeFi, and blockchain inclusivity, Midnight is one to watch.
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