Recent tweets from Charles Hoskinson, the founder of Cardano, have sparked significant excitement within the cryptocurrency community. His latest focus is on “Midnight,” described as a privacy-centric blockchain that he proudly refers to as his “second kid,” with Cardano being his first. This announcement has led to a flurry of questions surrounding the timeline for Midnight’s development, prompting Hoskinson to unveil an ambitious roadmap.
The Midnight roadmap is divided into four distinct phases, each named after different Hawaiian moon phases, offering an intriguing touch that reflects the project’s evolving nature. The phases articulate a clear pathway for development leading to a fully operational mainnet launch.
Midnight Roadmap and “NIGHT” Token Launch
During the Midnight summit, Hoskinson detailed the exciting roadmap for the Midnight ecosystem, which is set to unfold over the next year. Here’s a closer look at the phases involved:
- Phase 1 – “Hilo”: Currently underway as of Q4 2025, this foundational phase is crucial for establishing that groundwork for the ecosystem. Key developments include the creation of essential smart contracts and the minting of NIGHT tokens on the Cardano network. A total of 4.5 billion tokens will be distributed, marking a pivotal step before they are listed on exchanges.
- Phase 2 – “Kūkolu”: Set to kick off in Q1 2026, this phase will introduce the Genesis block, marking the official start of the Midnight network.
- Phase 3 – “Mōhalu”: Beginning in Q2 2026, this phase aims to involve more participants in the network, enhancing the ecosystem’s growth and engagement.
- Phase 4 – “Hua”: The final phase slated for Q3 2026 will roll out Hybrid dApps (decentralized applications), completing the Midnight ecosystem’s development process.
Despite the potentially confusing names, the timeline itself is decidedly straightforward, with everything anticipated to be operational within about a year. Moreover, Hoskinson has also shared that the NIGHT token, the native utility token for Midnight, is slated for distribution, exchange listings, and trading with liquidity expected to start on December 8, 2025.
This token will be built on the Cardano chain, following the common trend in many crypto projects where token launches occur prior to the mainnet launch.
Hoskinson’s enthusiasm for privacy technology has been evident for some time, which has led to speculations about whether he might be distancing himself from Cardano. However, as Midnight is set to operate on top of Cardano, he has recently denied these rumors of leaving. For now, whispers about a pivot are still just that—whispers.
Cardano Price Prediction: Is Cardano Getting Abandoned?
Amid the buzz surrounding Midnight, Cardano’s token, ADA, has faced significant challenges, recently hitting a new yearly low. The token has struggled to maintain momentum, having broken below a critical support level of $0.50, leading to concerns about its future. This downward trend has fueled speculation among long-time Cardano supporters, some of whom appear to have lost faith.
ADA’s drop was notably severe compared to other top coins in the crypto market, with reports indicating a decline of over 20%. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) currently hovers around 50, suggesting a stagnant market position for ADA. Traders are now eyeing a potential retest of the $0.50 resistance to see if there’s any chance for a bounce back. If not, further declines could lead to a search for new bottom levels.
SUBBD Could Be the Better Play While Cardano Loses Momentum
As sentiments surrounding ADA turn increasingly bearish, some traders are shifting their focus toward projects demonstrating upward momentum. One standout alternative is SUBBD, an innovative AI-powered media platform that aims to revolutionize the subscriber economy. It offers creators significant control over their content and revenue streams, moving away from traditional platforms that often restrict reach and take large cuts of earnings.
This project has already garnered attention by raising $1.33 million in its presale, with staking rewards around an attractive 20% APY, providing early investors with a compelling incentive to engage. In a market looking for fresh narratives and real utility, SUBBD stands out as a project championing a more direct relationship between creators and audiences.
With larger projects like ADA grappling with stagnation, the proactive development and straightforward utility offered by SUBBD might be what traders are searching for in this evolving landscape.
As the crypto world continues to rapidly shift, the dynamics between established projects and newcomers will play a vital role in shaping the market’s future landscape.
