The founder of the Cardano blockchain, Charles Hoskinson, has unveiled a new network called Midnight, which will feature an enhanced level of privacy through the implementation of ZK-proofs. The launch of Midnight on the mainnet is scheduled for the last week of March 2026, and it will operate as a partner network of Cardano.
This is reported by Business • Media
Collaboration with Tech Giants and Focus on Privacy
Midnight has already partnered with well-known companies such as Google and Telegram. According to Hoskinson, collaboration with these players will enable the project to achieve ambitious technological goals and enhance trust in the ecosystem.
“We have great partners who will help us launch it. Google is one of them. Telegram is another. We are very excited, and there is more to come,” he stated.
Midnight utilizes Zero-Knowledge (ZK) technology, which keeps transaction data private from third parties, while allowing it to be shared with authorized parties when necessary. This ensures a balance between user privacy and compliance with regulatory requirements, which is particularly relevant for decentralized applications (dApps).
Network Testing with AI and Load Simulation
To prepare for the main launch, Input Output Global (IOG) has launched Midnight City Simulation—a platform for testing the network’s capabilities. Public access to this simulation will be opened to all interested parties starting February 26. The testing environment operates on the real Midnight network and employs AI-based agents. These agents simulate unpredictable user behavior, creating a flow of transactions that allows for the assessment of scalability and the effectiveness of generating and processing cryptographic proofs under real load conditions.
IOG emphasizes that successful testing is a key step in confirming Midnight’s readiness for mass adoption and integration into the global blockchain ecosystem.
Recall that Charles Hoskinson previously reported personal losses exceeding $3 billion due to the decline in the value of crypto assets.
