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Charles Hoskinson Announces Midnight Airdrop for XRP Holders

Published by
Debashree Patra and Qadir AK

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has unveiled a new vision for deeper collaboration between Cardano and XRP. The key to this partnership is Midnight, Cardano’s privacy-focused sidechain, which could soon serve as the DeFi engine for XRP.

Unlocking DeFi Without Leaving XRPL

Hoskinson explained during a recent AMA that Midnight is designed to let XRP users tap into DeFi features like staking, lending, and liquidity pools, without having to move their tokens off the XRP Ledger. Since XRP doesn’t support smart contracts, this sidechain integration could offer the ecosystem a new layer of utility while allowing users to keep their assets secure on-chain.

Midnight uses zero-knowledge cryptography to allow confidential smart contracts. This means users can interact with DeFi apps while keeping their financial data private. It’s a powerful upgrade that could significantly enhance what XRP holders can do with their tokens.

From Wallets to Stablecoins

The collaboration doesn’t stop with Midnight. Hoskinson confirmed that Cardano’s Lace Wallet will soon support XRP, allowing holders to manage multiple assets under one interface. There are also ongoing discussions to integrate Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin into the Cardano ecosystem, providing a USD-pegged liquidity option for DeFi platforms operating on Midnight.

Hoskinson revealed that he has spoken with Ripple executives, including CTO David Schwartz and CEO Brad Garlinghouse, to ensure smooth integration between Midnight and the XRP Ledger. The goal is to integrate Cardano’s advanced smart contract capabilities with XRP’s robust liquidity and cross-border capabilities.

Airdrop Campaign Targets XRP Community

To spark interest and user activity, Cardano has launched two airdrop campaigns: the Midnight Drop and Glacier Drop. XRP holders with at least $100 worth of XRP as of June 11, 2025, are eligible to claim a portion of the 1.2 billion NIGHT tokens, the governance token for Midnight.

Midnight is already live on testnet, and its mainnet launch is expected later this year. Once live, it will support interactions across multiple chains, including Ethereum, Solana, Avalanche, and now XRPL, strengthening Cardano’s multi-chain ambitions.

FAQs

How can eligible XRP holders claim their NIGHT tokens?

Claiming NIGHT tokens is straightforward: sign with your wallet and submit a valid Cardano address. The tokens will initially be locked, with 25% unlocking gradually over one year.

How much NIGHT can XRP holders expect from the airdrop?

XRP holders are collectively eligible to claim around 1.2 billion NIGHT tokens. Your individual share will depend on the amount of XRP you held at the June 11, 2025 snapshot time.

When is Cardano’s Midnight mainnet launch expected?

Midnight’s mainnet launch is expected later in 2025, after being live on testnet.

Which wallets will support XRP in the Cardano ecosystem?

Cardano’s Lace Wallet will soon support XRP, enabling users to manage XRP and other assets within one interface.

Debashree Patra and Qadir AK

Fun-loving and cheerful, a passionate blockchain and crypto writer who knows no boundary…connect if you share the same passion. With 10+ years of writing experience, I am a Crypto Journalist by chance, exploring, and learning all the dynamics of the sci-fi action-filled crypto world. Currently, focusing on cryptocurrency news and price data. With a passion for research and challenging my capabilities, I am slowly getting into the crypto arena to bring new insights every day.

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