Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has revealed an intense development pace for the Midnight privacy sidechain, stating he is currently writing "between 80–100 pages a day of technical documents" in preparation for internal workshops scheduled for January. In a recent tweet, Hoskinson described the work as far from casual, positioning Midnight as "the Manhattan Project of PET, Chain Abstraction, and Smart Compliance," and adding cryptically, "2026's body is not ready!"
The framing of Midnight appears to be shifting from a simple privacy-focused extension to a broader technological initiative. Hoskinson is emphasizing privacy-enhancing technology (PET) that works alongside smart compliance and chain abstraction, a notable distinction aimed at navigating regulatory landscapes where many privacy projects face challenges. He confirmed he is also working on a non-technical book titled "The Land of PET: A non-technical guide to privacy enhancing technology" for Midnight Ambassadors and the community.
Hoskinson has directly addressed community concerns about Midnight's relationship with Cardano's native token, ADA. He has clarified that the NIGHT token, which powers the Midnight network, is designed to extend ADA's ecosystem, not replace it, stating that "the idea of selling ADA for NIGHT misses the point." This comes as the NIGHT token has seen significant activity following Midnight's rise.
The Cardano founder's commitment extends through the holiday season, as he announced he is taking no time off. Hoskinson hinted at "something magical" ahead, with the team traveling to Japan, Hong Kong, and Korea, and promised exciting surprises for the community every 2-3 months. He cited readiness among partners "from Fortune10 all the way down," suggesting potential for significant ecosystem growth.
