Cardano Creator Labels Midnight as 'Manhattan Project' of Privacy-Enhanced Transactions

Source: CryptoNewsNet Original Title: Cardano Creator Dubs ‘New ADA,’ Midnight, A ‘Manhattan Project’ Original Link: Charles Hoskinson has announced that Midnight, Cardano’s privacy spinoff, is set to become the “Manhattan Project” of privacy-enhanced transactions (PET), chain abstraction and smart compliance.

According to Hoskinson, he is writing 80-100 pages a day of technical documents in preparation for internal workshops scheduled for January, fueled by coffee, remixed Eurodance and what he calls “some serious effort.” He concluded with the playful statement: “2026’s body is not ready.”

Market Performance

On CoinMarketCap, NIGHT is priced at $0.07676, marking a +19.57% increase over the week. It boasts a market cap of $1.27 billion, with a 24-hour trading volume of $589.1 million following a period of consolidation.

The one-week chart reflects this momentum: a rapid rise earlier in the week, a drop back into the $0.07 area and then sideways movement as traders decide whether the announcements represent genuine development progress or narrative-driven momentum.

Strategic Positioning with “Smart Compliance”

The emphasis on “smart compliance” is significant. Privacy projects often market themselves as counter-regulatory, but Hoskinson is positioning Midnight as a version that can coexist with regulatory frameworks rather than fighting them. This framing is likely to attract institutional interest and developer participation.

Beyond technical specifications, Hoskinson is also working on a nontechnical PET book called “The Land of PET,” aimed at Midnight Ambassadors and the broader community. This represents narrative packaging for a larger rollout.

January Workshops as Development Checkpoint

The January workshops represent the next critical checkpoint. If they produce a concrete roadmap, the “New ADA” concept could transition from a strategic vision into an actual 2026 development plan.