XRP–Cardano Merger? Hoskinson Sparks Massive Buzz After Midnight Airdrop

In late August 2025, Charles Hoskinson, the founder of Cardano, surprised the blockchain community with news that his network would begin to integrate XRP into its ecosystem. 

The announcement, shared during a live session, came shortly after a successful Midnight airdrop and raised speculation about whether Cardano and XRP might be edging towards closer collaboration. 

This move has generated both excitement and concern, especially as past rivalries between the communities appear to be fading.

Cardano’s Plans to Bring XRP into Lace Wallet

One of the most concrete updates from Hoskinson was the planned integration of XRP into Cardano’s official light wallet, Lace, by the end of 2025. 

This feature will allow users to store, send, and receive XRP within Lace, adding a layer of interoperability that Cardano has been striving for in recent years.

The Lace wallet is designed to be lightweight and user-friendly, and expanding its functionality to support XRP suggests a strong push towards attracting a broader blockchain audience. 

Until now, most wallets within the Cardano ecosystem were largely limited to its own token, ADA, alongside a selection of supported assets. With XRP joining the list, the wallet could become far more relevant to users outside the Cardano community.

Hoskinson’s timeline sets this integration apart from previous announcements. Back in April, he hinted at such plans but avoided committing to specific dates. Now, by outlining a firm 2025 launch, he has raised expectations significantly. 

It positions Cardano as more than just a single-chain platform, instead framing it as a competitor to ecosystems like Ethereum, where multi-asset wallets are already common.

However, this move does not come without risks. Cardano’s technology team will need to ensure that XRP functions smoothly within Lace, and that compatibility issues or security flaws do not arise. XRP’s network operates differently to Cardano’s, so bridging the two will involve complex engineering. 

If successful, though, the integration could strengthen Cardano’s long-term credibility as a network designed for interoperability.

Read Also: XRP's Role in Tokenizing Finance: Ripple's Next Plan

XRP’s Role in the Midnight Project

Another headline development involves XRP’s connection to Cardano’s Midnight project. Midnight is a privacy-focused sidechain that launched with the aim of offering secure and compliant applications for users who need additional protection of their data. 

During the AMA session, Hoskinson confirmed that XRP holders were not left out of its initial growth phase.

Specifically, more than 2.21 million XRP wallets have been deemed eligible for Midnight’s airdrops, granting them access to over 2.6 billion NIGHT tokens. 

This is no small gesture, as it signals a deliberate choice to include XRP users in Cardano’s experimental privacy venture. 

Such inclusion could broaden the scope of the project, drawing in users who otherwise may have never interacted with Cardano’s infrastructure.

Hoskinson also announced that Cardano will create a dedicated team within Midnight to focus on XRP integration. This team is expected to explore possible commercial use cases that combine XRP’s liquidity with Midnight’s privacy features. 

For example, cross-border transactions could theoretically be enhanced by layering privacy functionality on top of XRP’s established payment efficiency.

Despite the optimism, the exact number of XRP users who have claimed NIGHT tokens remains undisclosed. What is clear is that Cardano is deliberately blurring the lines between its own community and that of XRP. 

Such a move is noteworthy, as the two projects were once regarded as competitors rather than collaborators. Whether this shift leads to sustained cooperation or merely short-term publicity is a question that remains unanswered.

Read Also: XRP Integration, Chainlink Talks, and Asia Growth Plans

Could This Be a True Cardano–XRP Merger?

Speculation about a merger between Cardano and XRP intensified following these announcements. At first glance, the word “merger” might seem overstated. Both projects maintain their own blockchains, communities, and technical designs. 

Cardano focuses heavily on research-driven development, while XRP is widely known for its emphasis on fast, low-cost international payments.

Nevertheless, Hoskinson’s plans hint at convergence in strategic areas. Integrating XRP into the Lace wallet is more than a technical update; it is a symbolic gesture of inclusion. 

Similarly, the Midnight project’s airdrop to XRP holders places the token at the heart of one of Cardano’s most ambitious experiments. These steps suggest an alignment of goals, even if the two chains remain independent.

Comparisons can be made with other partnerships across the blockchain industry. Ethereum, for instance, has seen collaborations with Polygon, Optimism, and Arbitrum, all aimed at improving scalability and interoperability. 

Binance has expanded its ecosystem by welcoming multiple asset types into its own chain and wallet systems. By moving closer to XRP, Cardano is following a similar pattern of strategic alliances rather than full mergers.

That said, users should remain cautious. Neither Cardano nor XRP has released a comprehensive joint whitepaper or formalised a binding partnership agreement. In fact, the lack of detailed documentation leaves significant questions unanswered. 

What specific commercial applications will emerge? How will governance work across two distinct communities? Without clarity, it would be premature to assume that the networks are merging in a traditional sense.

Still, the symbolic and technical moves already under way cannot be dismissed. By 2025, if Lace successfully supports XRP and Midnight continues to draw cross-chain participation, the relationship between the two could evolve into one of the industry’s most notable partnerships.

Read Also: The XRP Ledger and How It Forms Strategic Partnerships

Conclusion

Charles Hoskinson’s surprise updates have created a wave of speculation about the future of Cardano and XRP. 

From integrating XRP into the Lace wallet to granting millions of XRP users access to the Midnight project, the steps suggest a closer alignment between the two ecosystems. 

While talk of a full merger may be exaggerated, the collaboration is significant enough to reshape perceptions of both projects. 

Users, however, should be cautious. Details remain unclear, and with no formal documentation in place, expectations must be tempered until concrete outcomes are delivered.

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FAQ

Is Cardano merging with XRP?

Not officially. Current plans show closer collaboration, but both remain separate blockchains.

What is the Lace wallet update?

By the end of 2025, Cardano will add XRP support to Lace, allowing storage and transactions within the wallet.

How is XRP involved in the Midnight project?

XRP wallets are eligible for airdrops of NIGHT tokens, enabling participation in Cardano’s privacy sidechain.

Will this collaboration affect XRP’s price?

Market reactions are speculative. Integration may boost interest, but price outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

Should investors trust these announcements?

Caution is advised. The plans are ambitious but lack detailed documentation or confirmed delivery timelines.