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Cardano’s long-anticipated privacy network, Midnight, has officially launched its NIGHT token airdrop—an event already being described as one of the most ambitious token distributions in crypto history. Known as the “Glacier Drop,” the airdrop spans over 30 million wallets across eight leading blockchains, reflecting the project’s aim to drive long-term utility and responsible token allocation.
The airdrop went live on August 7, 2025, and is available for claims until October 6, 2025, offering eligible users a 60-day window to redeem their NIGHT tokens.
NIGHT Token Targets Multi-Chain Users
This massive airdrop campaign covers users from various blockchain ecosystems, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Cardano, Solana, BNB Chain, Avalanche, XRP Ledger, and Brave. Eligibility was based on a snapshot taken on July 11, targeting wallets holding at least $100 in native assets on any of the supported chains.
According to the official breakdown, Cardano users received 50% of the total NIGHT token supply, with Bitcoin wallets receiving 20%. The remaining 30% has been shared among the other six supported chains.
Over 470 Million NIGHT Tokens Already Claimed
Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano, celebrated the NIGHT token airdrop as a milestone achievement, stating it reflects six years of development and research. He confirmed that more than 23,000 redemptions have already been processed, totaling over 470 million NIGHT tokens claimed within the first few days.
Crypto analysts have praised the scale of the drop and its structured rollout, highlighting it as a strategic move to onboard privacy-focused users and promote adoption of the Midnight Network.
How to Claim NIGHT Tokens
The claiming process is being handled through Midnight’s official portal, which guides users through a three-step process:
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Submit a Cardano destination address Users begin by submitting their wallet address on the Cardano blockchain, where the NIGHT tokens will be sent.
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Message signing for ownership proof To verify eligibility, users must sign a message proving ownership of the wallet that met the snapshot criteria.
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Wait for thawing and unlock schedule NIGHT tokens are initially frozen and gradually unlock in four 25% installments over a 360-day period. After each unlock, users have a 90-day window to redeem their tokens.
While many users have reported a smooth and user-friendly claiming experience, not everyone is satisfied. Some long-term Cardano supporters reported being excluded from the drop—even if they held ADA for over five years.
Technical Glitches and Wallet Issues
Some users encountered technical errors when attempting to claim their tokens. A recurring issue has been the “invalid signature” message, particularly among users with Ledger hardware wallets. The issue stems from message size limits on the Ledger device, making it incompatible with the signature verification process on Midnight’s platform.
To resolve this, Midnight’s team, in partnership with Shielded Technologies, introduced a workaround involving a zero-value transaction. The fix is currently under audit and is expected to be finalized and deployed by August 25.
Airdrop Rollout Follows 3-Phase Distribution Model
Midnight’s Glacier Drop isn’t just a one-time event. The airdrop is structured into three major phases, aiming to incentivize active participation, reduce sell pressure, and sustain ecosystem growth.
1. Glacier Drop (Aug 5 – Oct 4):
The initial airdrop window, currently underway, allows eligible users to claim their NIGHT tokens over 60 days.
2. Scavenger Mine (Oct 5 – Nov 4):
Unclaimed tokens will be re-distributed through on-chain challenges designed to reward engaged community members.
3. Lost and Found (4-Year Period):
Late claimants will have an extended opportunity to recover their unclaimed tokens during a four-year window, preventing permanent loss of eligibility.
This multi-phase approach has been praised as a best practice in tokenomics. By spreading the airdrop across time and use cases, the project is seeking to avoid a flood of token sales that could crash the price.
Community Reactions Mixed But Hopeful
Reactions from the Cardano community have been divided. While many praised the seamless interface and transparency of the claiming process, others expressed frustration over eligibility criteria and hardware wallet incompatibility.
Still, optimism remains high as more fixes are rolled out, and users begin receiving unlocked NIGHT tokens. As privacy takes center stage in Web3 discussions, Cardano’s Midnight Network is positioning itself as a powerful infrastructure layer for confidential smart contracts and decentralized applications.
Final Thoughts
With over 470 million NIGHT tokens already claimed, the Cardano Midnight airdrop is shaping up to be one of the most significant community engagement efforts in 2025. By covering multiple blockchains and implementing a phased distribution model, the project reflects a thoughtful and inclusive approach to ecosystem development.
For those who are eligible but haven’t claimed yet, it’s essential to act before October 4. After that, the next opportunity will come only through on-chain puzzles or the Lost and Found window—possibly much harder routes to acquire tokens.
As Cardano pushes forward with its Midnight privacy network, all eyes are on how NIGHT tokens will be used within decentralized apps and privacy protocols going forward.
