Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson recently said $23 million has been spent supporting Cardano Native Tokens while dismissing claims that Midnight is separate from Cardano.
Hoskinson revealed this during a surprise Ask Me Anything (AMA) session while announcing a new partnership with Copper, a notable digital asset custody firm.
Cardano Founder: $23M in Ecosystem Support
Hoskinson revealed that the funding demonstrates active backing for the ecosystem. He dismissed claims that Midnight functions independently, emphasizing that they designed the project to work within Cardano rather than apart from it.
Speaking further, Hoskinson reiterated that Midnight, Cardano’s partner chain, is on track to host one of the largest airdrops in crypto history. Hoskinson said over 70,000 users across the supported blockchain have already redeemed about $1.6 billion NIGHT tokens.
He described the distribution process as layered, combining a redemption program, scavenger hunt, and final token release. He added that the initiative is expected to surpass previous large airdrops, with participation extending across multiple ecosystems.
While backing Midnight, Hoskinson criticized the Cardano Foundation, accusing it of failing to provide meaningful support. He argued that the foundation mismanaged ADA funds and should not be entitled to Midnight tokens.
Hoskinson also warned that the foundation’s involvement in governance could harm productivity and said the ecosystem has moved forward without its participation.
Copper Partnership Expands Custodian Reach
Hoskinson pointed to a new agreement with Copper, a digital asset custodian, which allows any exchange using Copper’s custody services to support Cardano-based assets, including Midnight. He described the deal as a step toward expanding custodian coverage for the ecosystem.
The Copper partnership builds on earlier agreements with Bitcoin.com, Blockchain.com, and Brave. These platforms are committed to backing both Midnight and Cardano, expanding adoption opportunities across multiple exchanges and custodians.
Notably, Hoskinson had earlier announced Cardano’s integration with Blockchain.com, opening access to 37 million users. He credited the Midnight Foundation for securing the deal through successful negotiations.
Hoskinson Hints at Cross-Chain Collaboration
Meanwhile, Hoskinson also emphasized the importance of cross-chain partnerships in his broadcast. He cited discussions with Solana’s Anatoly Yakovenko, NEAR’s Ilya Polosukhin, and XRP representatives about potential collaborations.
Notably, Hoskinson also noted plans for XRP support within Cardano’s Lace wallet by the end of the year, alongside potential joint community events.
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