Cardano News Today: Cardano's Low Fees Power Midnight's 24B Token Milestone at 0.80 ADA

Midnight, a privacy-focused sidechain on the Cardano (ADA) blockchain, has announced the minting of its entire 24 billion NIGHT token supply at a remarkably low cost of just 0.80 ADA, equivalent to approximately $0.52 at the time of the on-chain transaction. This development marks a critical step ahead of the token's official launch on December 8, 2025, as confirmed by Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson during the Midnight Summit. The project's efficiency in minting such a large token supply at minimal cost underscores Cardano's low transaction fees and scalability, positioning it as a competitive platform for blockchain innovation.

The NIGHT token, designed to facilitate private transactions on the Midnight network, leverages zero-knowledge proofs (ZK-SNARKs) to balance privacy and regulatory compliance. Its dual-token model includes NIGHT for governance and network access, and DUST, a non-transferable resource used for shielded transactions as detailed in official documentation. The token's cross-chain functionality ensures that balances remain synchronized between Cardano and Midnight, maintaining the total 24 billion supply.

Distribution of NIGHT tokens will occur in phases to mitigate market volatility. Eligible participants, including early ecosystem contributors and testers, will receive their initial allocations on December 8, with the remaining tokens released in four equal tranches over 360 days. This staggered approach aims to encourage long-term engagement and reduce immediate selling pressure. Additionally, top-tier exchanges are preparing to list NIGHT on launch day, providing instant liquidity and visibility.

Cardano's role in Midnight's development is pivotal. The project utilizes Cardano's Hydra layer-2 solution to enhance scalability, particularly for the Glacier Drop airdrop, which distributed tokens across multiple blockchains. The collaboration with Google Cloud further strengthens Midnight's infrastructure, offering validator node support, confidential computing, and threat monitoring. These partnerships highlight Cardano's growing ecosystem and its appeal for enterprise-grade applications.

The minting cost of 0.80 ADA has been hailed as a testament to Cardano's cost-effectiveness. Analysts like Ed n' Stuff, a prominent Cardano community figure, emphasize that such low fees validate Cardano's position as a "sound money infrastructure," aligning with Hoskinson's assertion that Cardano and Bitcoin are the only blockchains in this category. This efficiency is particularly significant for projects requiring large token supplies, as it reduces operational costs and barriers to entry.

While Cardano's native token, ADA, has faced a prolonged bearish trend, with prices hovering near $0.45, the Midnight project offers a potential catalyst for renewed interest in the ecosystem. Derivatives data and on-chain metrics suggest early signs of recovery, with undervalued MVRV ratios and positive funding rates indicating possible short-term rebounds. However, technical indicators like the MACD and EMA remain bearish, highlighting the need for sustained buying pressure to reverse the downtrend.

Midnight's launch represents a transformative milestone for Cardano, combining privacy, scalability, and institutional partnerships to expand its use cases beyond traditional blockchain applications. As the December 8 date approaches, the Cardano community and broader crypto market will closely monitor the token's performance and its impact on the network's adoption and utility.