Cardano Midnight Airdrop: How to Claim Your NIGHT Tokens

Cardano’s Midnight Network is making waves with its massive 24 billion NIGHT token airdrop, dubbed the “Glacier Drop.” This privacy-focused sidechain is set to reward crypto holders across eight major blockchains, including Cardano, Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and more. If you’re wondering how to snag your share of NIGHT tokens, this guide breaks it all down, eligibility, claiming process, and what makes Midnight unique. Let’s dive in!

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What Is the Cardano Midnight Airdrop?

The Midnight Network, a Cardano sidechain focused on privacy and selective disclosure, launched its Tokenomics and Incentives Whitepaper in June 2025, detailing the Glacier Drop. 

This airdrop distributes the entire genesis mint of 24 billion NIGHT tokens to crypto holders across eight blockchains. It’s the first phase of a three-step distribution plan designed to kickstart the network’s community.

Why Midnight Matters

Midnight aims to be a DeFi powerhouse, blending Cardano’s scalability with privacy features like shielded transactions. NIGHT tokens power the network, generating DUST, a non-transferable resource that fuels transactions without tying fees to token price volatility. This dual-token model sets Midnight apart, offering stability for users and block producers.

Read more: Who Eligible for Newton Protocol Airdrop? Earn NEWT Token

Who’s Eligible for the Glacier Drop?

The Glacier Drop targets holders of native tokens on eight chains: Cardano (ADA), Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP, Solana (SOL), BNB Chain (BNB), Avalanche (AVAX), and Brave wallet (BAT). Here’s how eligibility works:

Eligibility Criteria

• Minimum Holding: You must have held at least $100 worth of the native token (e.g., XRP for XRP Ledger) in a self-custody wallet at the snapshot date, June 11, 2025.

• No Sanctions: Your wallet must not be on the OFAC’s SDN list.

• Self-Custody Only: Custodial exchange accounts (e.g., Coinbase) don’t qualify unless the exchange claims on your behalf.

Token Allocation Breakdown

• Cardano (ADA): 50% of the 24 billion NIGHT tokens (12 billion).

• Bitcoin (BTC): 20% (4.8 billion).

• Other Chains: The remaining 30% (7.2 billion) is split equally among Ethereum, XRP, Solana, BNB Chain, Avalanche, and Brave wallet holders, with XRP holders sharing 1.2 billion NIGHT.

How to Claim Your NIGHT Tokens

Claiming NIGHT tokens is straightforward but requires preparation. The process involves a 60-day claim window starting in July 2025. Here’s your step-by-step guide:

• Verify Your Eligibility: Check if your wallet held at least $100 worth of the native token on June 11, 2025. Use blockchain explorers or wallet tools to confirm your balance at the snapshot height.

• Prepare a Cardano Address: Create a new, unused Cardano address for receiving NIGHT tokens. This is a privacy best practice, as claim transactions will be publicly auditable.

• Sign a Message: When the NIGHT Claim Portal opens in July 2025, sign a cryptographic message with your eligible wallet to prove ownership. The portal will guide you through this.

• Submit Your Claim: Provide your Cardano address on the portal to receive your NIGHT tokens. Claimed tokens will be locked in a Cardano smart contract and “thawed” gradually over a year, with 25% unlocking every three months to prevent dumping.

Pro Tip: Monitor Midnight’s official website for the exact claim portal launch date and thaw schedule.

Read more: How Many Midnight Token Airdrop for XRP Holders?

What Happens to Unclaimed Tokens?

Not everyone will claim their NIGHT tokens during the 60-day window. Unclaimed tokens roll into two additional phases:

Phase 2: Scavenger Mine

This 30-day phase lets participants solve computational puzzles to earn unclaimed NIGHT tokens. These tasks also help seed Midnight’s network infrastructure.

Phase 3: Lost-and-Found

The final phase offers one last chance to claim tokens before unclaimed NIGHT is transferred to Midnight’s treasury after four years.

Why NIGHT and DUST Are Game-Changers

Midnight’s dual-token system is designed for long-term stability and user-friendliness. Here’s how it works:

NIGHT Tokens

• Utility: NIGHT is a non-expendable token minted on Cardano and mirrored on Midnight.

• Block Rewards: Block producers earn newly minted NIGHT from a Reserve, with inflation starting at 3% annually and tapering over centuries.

• Governance: NIGHT holders can participate in network governance and DUST-fueled apps.

DUST Resource

• Generation: NIGHT continuously generates DUST, which accumulates in a privacy-preserving address until a cap is reached.

• Usage: DUST pays for transactions and burns on use, decoupling fees from NIGHT’s price.

• Non-Transferable: DUST can’t be traded, ensuring it serves only as a network resource.

This model reduces economic uncertainty, making Midnight a compelling choice for DeFi and privacy-focused apps.

Read more: Quantum Wallet Airdrop Listing Date and Price: When and How Much?

What’s Next for Midnight?

Midnight is currently in testnet, with its mainnet launch scheduled 90 days after the airdrop begins. Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson envisions Midnight as a DeFi hub, especially for cross-chain users like XRP holders, thanks to its privacy and interoperability features. The Glacier Drop is just the start of building a vibrant, community-driven ecosystem.

Conclusion

The Cardano Midnight Airdrop is a golden opportunity for crypto holders to grab NIGHT tokens and join a cutting-edge privacy network. Whether you hold ADA, XRP, or another eligible token, check your eligibility, prepare your Cardano address, and get ready to claim starting in July 2025. 

With its innovative NIGHT and DUST model, Midnight is poised to redefine DeFi and privacy on Cardano. Don’t miss out, stay tuned to Midnight’s official site for updates and dive into the Glacier Drop!

FAQ

Q1: How do I know if I'm eligible for the NIGHT airdrop?

A1: Your wallet must’ve held at least $100 of a supported token (like XRP, ADA, BTC) on June 11, 2025, and it must be self-custody, not exchange-based.

Q2: Can I use my existing Cardano address to claim NIGHT?

A2: No, create a fresh, unused Cardano address. It’s a privacy move, since all claim transactions are public.

Q3: What happens if I miss the 60-day claim window?

A3: You’ll get a second shot during “Scavenger Mine” by solving puzzles, or a final chance in “Lost-and-Found” before it goes to the treasury.

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