Cardano Launches 24 Billion Midnight Airdrop Across 8 Blockchains

Cardano has initiated its highly anticipated Midnight Airdrop, marking a landmark event in the cryptocurrency space. The airdrop, which began on August 5, 2025, is distributing 24 billion NIGHT tokens to eligible holders across eight major blockchains. Users with holdings in ADA, BTC, ETH, and XRP are entitled to claim their share through a newly launched portal, triggering immediate social and market activity around the Cardano ecosystem [1].

The distribution is expected to reach between 33 and 37 million wallets, reflecting a broad-based eligibility that spans multiple blockchain networks. XRP holders are eligible at a 1:0.04173 ratio, while Bitcoin and Ethereum users are set to receive 696.97 and 50.73 NIGHT tokens, respectively [3]. The airdrop is not only a significant token distribution event but also a strategic move toward strengthening cross-chain engagement and utility.

Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano, emphasized the significance of the event, describing it as a milestone in the project’s roadmap. His cryptic hints on social media had already generated substantial community anticipation, with reports indicating that the airdrop may have launched ahead of its previously scheduled timeline at the Rare Evo conference [3]. The claim portal's early activation has led to a surge in user activity and engagement, further amplifying the event's impact.

The airdrop’s financial implications are also noteworthy. The initial release of tokens has prompted speculation around potential valuation and utility within the Cardano ecosystem. Analysts suggest that if adoption and demand continue at the current pace, the NIGHT token could enter the top 20 by market cap [3]. However, the broader market remains volatile, with ADA dropping 3% amid a wider crypto market sell-off. This volatility is attributed to both the momentum from the airdrop and ongoing macroeconomic pressures affecting the crypto sector [2].

From a strategic standpoint, the Midnight Airdrop reflects Cardano’s commitment to expanding its ecosystem through multi-chain interoperability and decentralized adoption. By engaging a vast and diverse user base across multiple chains, Cardano is reinforcing its position as a leader in cross-chain innovation. The project also highlights growing interest from traditional finance circles, with Hoskinson noting increased attention from Wall Street [3].

As the airdrop progresses, the focus remains on further developments leading up to the Rare Evo conference. With over 24 billion tokens in circulation and a strong community already activated, the Midnight Airdrop is shaping up to be one of the most impactful events of the second half of 2025. The initiative underscores Cardano’s long-term vision for a more interconnected and privacy-focused Web3 landscape [3].

Sources:

[1] AInvest - [https://www.ainvest.com/news/midnight-airdrop-launches-24-billion-token-distribution-8-blockchains-2508/](https://www.ainvest.com/news/midnight-airdrop-launches-24-billion-token-distribution-8-blockchains-2508/)

[2] Coindesk - [https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/08/05/cardano-drops-3-as-market-sell-off-persists-midnight-airdrop-sparks-volatility](https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/08/05/cardano-drops-3-as-market-sell-off-persists-midnight-airdrop-sparks-volatility)

[3] CoinGape - [https://coingape.com/cardano-founder-teases-major-midnight-airdrop-update/](https://coingape.com/cardano-founder-teases-major-midnight-airdrop-update/)