Midnight (NIGHT) Token Airdrop by Cardano: Full Details, Eligibility & Claim Guide
Jul, 1 2025
NIGHT Airdrop Eligibility Calculator
The Midnight (NIGHT) token airdrop was distributed to holders of the native assets across 8 blockchains. To qualify, you needed at least $100 worth of the native asset on the June 11, 2025 snapshot date. Use this calculator to determine if you would have qualified for the airdrop based on your holdings.
Enter Your Holdings
Enter the USD value of your holdings at the June 11, 2025 snapshot date (not current prices)
When Cardano’s ecosystem dropped a 24‑billion‑token airdrop in August 2025, the crypto world sat up and paid attention. The Midnight (NIGHT) token airdrop was a cross‑chain distribution called the Glacier Drop, designed to seed a privacy‑first sidechain built on Cardano. If you’ve been hearing the buzz but aren’t sure whether you qualified-or how to claim your share-this guide walks you through everything you need to know, from snapshot rules to the three‑phase recovery system.
Quick Takeaways
- Glacier Drop launched on 6 August 2025, covering 34 million addresses across eight blockchains.
- Eligibility required $100‑plus in the native asset of any supported chain at the 11 June 2025 snapshot.
- Cardano (ADA) holders received half of the total 24 billion NIGHT supply.
- The claim window closed on 4 October 2025; unclaimed tokens moved to the Scavenger Mine phase.
- Claimed tokens vest in four 90‑day tranches over 360 days after mainnet launch.
What Is the Glacier Drop?
The Glacier Drop is the first leg of Midnight Network’s three‑step token‑distribution plan. Midnight positions itself as a privacy‑centric sidechain that runs on Cardano, and NIGHT is its native utility token. By spreading the entire genesis mint (24 billion NIGHT) in a single, transparent airdrop, the project aims to bootstrap a decentralized privacy layer while avoiding the typical “pump‑and‑dump” dynamics of many token launches.
Eligibility Rules - Who Could Claim?
Eligibility was calculated using a snapshot taken on 11 June 2025. The snapshot captured the balance of the native asset on each of the eight supported chains at a random, undisclosed moment to prevent last‑minute gaming. To qualify, a wallet needed at least $100 worth of the native coin at snapshot time:
- Bitcoin (BTC) - ~0.002 BTC (if price was $50,000)
- Ethers (ETH) - ~0.04 ETH (price $2,500)
- Cardano (ADA) - ~40 ADA (price $2.50)
- ...and similar thresholds for XRP, SOL, AVAX, BNB, BAT.
Only self‑custody addresses that could produce a digital signature were considered. Any address appearing on the OFAC SDN list was automatically excluded, and custodial exchange wallets were ineligible unless the exchange itself filed a claim on behalf of its users-a rare occurrence.
Allocation Breakdown Across Chains
| Blockchain | Allocation % | Night Tokens |
|---|---|---|
| Cardano (ADA) | 50% | 12 billion |
| Bitcoin (BTC) | 20% | 4.8 billion |
| Ethereum (ETH) | 6% | 1.44 billion |
| Ripple (XRP) | 4% | 0.96 billion |
| Solana (SOL) | 4% | 0.96 billion |
| Avalanche (AVAX) | 4% | 0.96 billion |
| BNB Chain (BNB) | 4% | 0.96 billion |
| Brave (BAT) | 4% | 0.96 billion |
All numbers are rounded for readability. The weighted model reflects Midnight’s deep integration with Cardano while still rewarding holders on the other major ecosystems.
Step‑by‑Step Claim Process
If you met the $100 threshold, you had a 60‑day window (July - August 2025) to claim. The portal - midnight.gd - required two cryptographic proofs:
- Proof of custody: Connect your existing wallet (Eternl, Lace, Yoroi, or MetaMask) and sign a message. No funds move, but the signature proves you control the private key.
- Destination address: Generate a fresh Cardano address that will receive NIGHT. The system forces a new address to protect against replay attacks.
After both steps, the portal displayed your allocated NIGHT amount, calculated from the USD‑valued snapshot holdings. Tokens were then locked in a Cardano smart contract for the vesting schedule described below.
Because the claim period ended on 4 October 2025, any eligible user who didn’t complete these steps missed the primary distribution. Those unclaimed tokens are now in the next phase - the Scavenger Mine.
Vesting Schedule - Why Your NIGHT Won’t Be Liquid Immediately
Midnight deliberately avoided a “free‑cash” airdrop. Claimed NIGHT tokens are locked and released in four equal tranches over 360 days *after* the mainnet launch (not after the claim date). Each quarter, 25 % of the allocation becomes tradable, but the exact release timestamps are randomized within the 90‑day window to blunt coordinated selling.
This “gradual thawing” serves two purposes:
- It encourages holders to stay engaged, possibly becoming validators or governance participants.
- It reduces the risk of massive sell‑offs that could crash the token’s market price.
If the mainnet launches on 1 January 2026, the first unlock would happen sometime between 1 April 2026 and 30 June 2026, and the final tranche would finish roughly a year later.
The Three‑Phase Recovery System
Midnight’s designers knew not everyone would claim in time, so they built a cascade:
- Glacier Drop - the initial 60‑day airdrop.
- Scavenger Mine - unclaimed tokens are redistributed to participants who solve public‑good computational puzzles. These puzzles help seed core network infrastructure (similar to useful proof‑of‑work).
- Lost‑and‑Found - any tokens still left after the mining phase become a bounty for a final community‑driven distribution once the mainnet is live.
The design ensures the full 24 billion supply eventually circulates, but only to people who actively contribute to the network.
Practical Tips & Common Pitfalls
Even with a clear roadmap, many users hit snags. Below are real‑world lessons gathered from community forums and tutorial videos:
- Don’t use an exchange wallet. Custodial addresses can’t produce the required signature, so exchanges miss out unless they launch a specific claim interface.
- Generate a fresh Cardano address. Re‑using an older ADA address can cause the portal to reject your claim because the system expects a never‑used destination.
- Check the snapshot date. Prices fluctuated dramatically in May‑June 2025; your $100 threshold translated to different coin amounts on each chain. Verify your holdings on the exact snapshot date.
- Use supported wallets. Eternl, Lace, Yoroi, and MetaMask (via the Cardano network) were tested. Other wallets may work but haven’t been officially verified.
- Watch the vesting calendar. Set reminders for each 90‑day unlock event; the randomization means you won’t know the exact day until the contract emits a “unlock” event.
For those still interested after the deadline, the Scavenger Mine opens in early November 2025. Joining the puzzle‑solving community on Discord or Telegram is the fastest way to stay informed.
Why Midnight’s Airdrop Stands Out
Most 2025 airdrops focused on a single blockchain and gave immediate liquidity. Midnight broke three norms:
- Cross‑chain reach. Eight ecosystems received allocations in one go.
- Merit‑based eligibility. Allocation was purely dollar‑value driven, not based on social media activity.
- Long‑term tokenomics. The 360‑day vesting and three‑phase recovery aim to keep tokens in the hands of active participants.
These choices reflect lessons from prior airdrops where rapid dumping left projects with low‑priced tokens and disengaged communities.
Next Steps for Interested Users
If you qualified but missed the claim window, you still have two avenues:
- Scavenger Mine participation. Join the puzzle‑solving effort, submit solutions, and earn a share of the leftover NIGHT.
- Prepare for mainnet launch. Set up a Cardano wallet now, learn the dual‑token model (NIGHT for utility, DUST for fees), and keep an eye on the official roadmap for the exact launch date.
Staying active in Midnight’s community channels will alert you to any future distribution opportunities or governance votes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did the airdrop require me to hold ADA specifically?
No. While 50 % of NIGHT went to ADA holders, the Glacier Drop also covered Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Solana, Avalanche, BNB Chain and Brave. Eligibility was based on $100 worth of the native asset on any of those chains.
Can I claim NIGHT on an exchange?
Not directly. The claim process needs a self‑custody wallet that can sign a message. Unless an exchange builds a dedicated claim interface (which most have not), you must move your assets to a personal wallet first.
When will my NIGHT become tradable?
Each 25 % tranche unlocks 90 days after the mainnet launch, with the exact timestamps randomized within each quarter. Expect the first unlock roughly three months after mainnet goes live.
What happens to the tokens I didn’t claim?
Unclaimed NIGHT moved to the Scavenger Mine phase. Participants who solve computational puzzles earn a share of these leftovers. Any tokens still remaining after that become the Lost‑and‑Found bounty.
Do I need a fresh Cardano address for each claim?
Yes. The portal requires a brand‑new, unused ADA address to receive NIGHT. Creating a fresh wallet in Eternl or Lace satisfies this requirement.
That’s the full picture of the Midnight (NIGHT) token airdrop. Whether you’re still chasing the Scavenger Mine or simply curious about the project’s tokenomics, the key is to stay self‑custodied, keep an eye on the vesting calendar, and participate in the community as Midnight moves toward mainnet.
Trent Mercer
October 24, 2025 AT 05:21Look, I get it - another ‘privacy-first’ chain with a 24-billion token dump. But let’s be real: if you needed a $100 snapshot to qualify, you were already in the top 1% of crypto degens. This isn’t decentralization, it’s elite gatekeeping with extra steps. And don’t even get me started on the ‘Scavenger Mine’ - sounds like a crypto version of those ‘solve this puzzle to win a toaster’ ads from 2012. I’m just here for the memes, not the whitepapers.
vonley smith
October 25, 2025 AT 01:45Hey, if you made it this far reading the guide, you’re already ahead of most people. The vesting schedule might feel frustrating, but honestly? It’s smart. Most airdrops just hand out tokens and vanish - this one actually wants you to stick around. If you missed the claim window, don’t beat yourself up. The Scavenger Mine is still open, and solving those puzzles could actually teach you something about how the chain works. Take your time. You’ve got this.
Melodye Drake
October 25, 2025 AT 13:43It’s fascinating how people still think $100 is ‘accessible’ - as if the average person has $100 to just throw into crypto without risking their rent money. And now we’re supposed to be impressed that they’re ‘rewarding’ people who already had enough to play? This isn’t inclusion - it’s a vanity project for the wealthy. And the ‘fresh address’ requirement? That’s just a barrier to entry disguised as security. How many people lost their chance because they didn’t know to create a new wallet? This feels less like innovation and more like elitist theater.
paul boland
October 25, 2025 AT 18:45USA? USA?!?!?! This is just another American crypto scam wrapped in blockchain glitter. We had real privacy tech in Ireland since the 90s - encrypted email, anonymous cash, the works. And now you lot are calling THIS privacy? 😂 You think a smart contract is magic? You’re all just sheep waiting for your next ‘token unlock’ like it’s a Netflix episode. Meanwhile, I’m over here with my Ledger and my Guinness - no airdrop needed. 🇮🇪🍺
harrison houghton
October 25, 2025 AT 21:22There is a deeper truth here. The airdrop is not about tokens. It is about identity. The $100 threshold is not arbitrary - it is a filter for those who have already accepted the risk of decentralized finance. The vesting schedule is not a restriction - it is a moral test. Will you hold? Will you believe? Or will you sell on day one and prove that you never understood the philosophy? The Scavenger Mine is the real test - because to solve a puzzle for the network, you must first believe the network is worth solving for. Most people will not. They will wait for the next free thing. And they will remain empty.
DINESH YADAV
October 26, 2025 AT 15:38India has 1.4 billion people. You think 24 billion NIGHT tokens is a lot? You think $100 is a barrier? In India, people trade crypto with ₹100 - that’s less than a dollar. This whole thing is a joke. Cardano? It’s just another American project pretending to be global. If they really wanted to help, they’d make the threshold ₹500 - not $100. And don’t even talk about ‘self-custody’ - most people here don’t even have a laptop. This isn’t innovation - it’s exclusion dressed up as progress.
rachel terry
October 27, 2025 AT 10:30So the ‘Glacier Drop’ is basically a way to give tokens to people who already had money and then make them wait a year to use them? Classic. And the ‘Scavenger Mine’? Sounds like a glorified bounty program for people who like wasting time on crypto puzzles. Honestly I’m just here because I thought this was a new DeFi protocol - turns out it’s just another tokenomics experiment with a fancy name. I’ll pass. I’ve seen this movie before.
Susan Bari
October 28, 2025 AT 01:57The vesting schedule is the only thing that makes this remotely interesting. No free cash. No pump and dump. No degens flipping on day one. That’s rare. Most projects treat airdrops like a fire sale - this one treats it like a garden. You plant the seed. You wait. You nurture. You don’t dig it up the next morning because it didn’t bloom. Midnight gets it. Most don’t. That’s why this matters.
Sean Hawkins
October 28, 2025 AT 04:44For anyone still confused about the claim process - here’s the technical reality: the ‘proof of custody’ step requires a valid Ed25519 signature from the original wallet. That’s non-negotiable. If you used an exchange, even if you had $100k worth of ADA, you’re out - because exchanges don’t expose private keys. The fresh Cardano address requirement is to prevent replay attacks on the new NIGHT contract. And yes - the randomization in vesting windows is intentional. It’s called ‘unpredictable unlock scheduling’ - designed to prevent coordinated sell pressure. If you’re in the Scavenger Mine, focus on the ZK-SNARK puzzles. They’re open-source on GitHub. No need for Discord hype - just read the code. The real reward is understanding the system, not the tokens.