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In a significant move for the crypto community, Cardano's privacy-centric sidechain, Midnight, has initiated a major airdrop, distributing its native $NIGHT token across multiple blockchain ecosystems. The "Glacier Drop" aims to reward eligible holders from eight major networks, including Cardano ($ADA), Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and XRP. The Midnight Foundation has reserved 50% of the 24 billion $NIGHT tokens for $ADA holders, highlighting Cardano’s central role in the project. The distribution is designed to promote long-term engagement and foster cross-chain collaboration rather than competition. [embed]https://www.twitter.com/IOHK_Charles/status/1952937008361504829[/embed]
Eligibility and Claiming Process
To qualify for the airdrop, users must have held at least $100 worth of one of the specified tokens in a self-custody wallet at the time of a snapshot on June 11, 2025. With the official claim portal now live, eligible users have a 60-day window to redeem their tokens. The process is non-custodial and requires users to connect their wallets to prove ownership. According to Midnight Foundation president Fahmi Syed, “This airdrop is a rethink of how value and access can be distributed across chains, communities, and use cases—and is designed to resist manipulation and encourage long-term engagement.”
A Phased Rollout for Long-Term Commitment
The token distribution is structured to prevent immediate selling pressure. After claiming, the $NIGHT tokens will not be immediately tradable. Instead, a 360-day vesting schedule will release the tokens in four randomized unlock events, with 25% unlocking every 90 days following the mainnet launch. This phased rollout ensures that early participants are incentivized to stay with the network, aligning their interests with the project's long-term success. Unclaimed tokens will eventually be made available through a "Scavenger Mine" phase, followed by a "Lost-and-Found" period.