XRP News Today: XRP Holders Awarded 5% NIGHT Airdrop in Strategic Cross-Chain Collaboration

XRP holders are set to receive a historic airdrop of 1.2 billion NIGHT tokens from Cardano’s Midnight network, marking one of the largest wallet-based distributions in cryptocurrency history. The airdrop, confirmed by Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson at Consensus 2025, allocates 5% of Midnight’s 24 billion NIGHT token supply to XRP wallets that held at least $100 worth of XRP during a June 11 snapshot. The claim window opened on July 15 and will remain active until mid-September, with unclaimed tokens eventually redirecting to a Scavenger Mine system or Midnight’s treasury after four years [1].

The initiative highlights a strategic shift in cross-chain collaboration, as Midnight aims to unify blockchain ecosystems through shared ownership. XRP holders, alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum stakeholders, are among the key groups targeted by the airdrop. While Bitcoin holders receive 30% of the total distribution and Cardano holders 50%, XRP’s 5% allocation underscores its growing role in broader Web3 projects. Ripple’s CTO, David Schwartz, has praised Midnight’s privacy-focused technology, signaling potential synergies between XRP’s established payment network and emerging decentralized infrastructure [2].

Eligibility for the airdrop hinges solely on snapshot-era holdings, with no additional transactional requirements. This approach simplifies participation but raises questions about verification processes and distribution fairness. The 60-day claim period allows holders ample time to access the official portal, though warnings persist about phishing scams exploiting the event’s popularity. Fraudulent tactics, including fake websites and social media deception, have already been reported, echoing past airdrop-related frauds in the crypto space [3].

Analysts suggest the airdrop could catalyze renewed interest in XRP, particularly if Midnight delivers on promised use cases like cross-chain interoperability or DeFi tools. However, previous XRP airdrops, such as Flare’s, saw mixed engagement due to low activation rates, highlighting the need for clear utility and educational outreach. The success of this distribution may depend on whether XRP holders integrate NIGHT tokens into their portfolios and actively participate in Midnight’s ecosystem [4].

The event reflects broader trends in crypto airdrops, where projects increasingly target established user bases to accelerate adoption. By leveraging XRP’s large and active community, Midnight avoids the challenges of acquiring new users while benefiting from Ripple’s infrastructure credibility. If successful, this model could inspire similar cross-chain initiatives, further blurring lines between competitive and collaborative token economies [5].

Participants are urged to verify details via official channels and avoid third-party tools to mitigate scam risks. While the Midnight team has not disclosed future plans for the token, market observers will likely monitor trading activity in NIGHT and XRP to assess the airdrop’s impact on liquidity and investor sentiment. For now, the event stands as a significant milestone for XRP holders, offering tangible rewards for their participation in Ripple’s ecosystem [1].

Sources:

[1] [title1] [https://coinpedia.org/news/xrp-holders-to-see-biggest-airdrop-heres-how-to-claim/]

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[5] [title5] [url5]