Charles Hoskinson, the founder of Cardano, expressed pride in the launch of the public testnet for Cardano’s sidechain, Midnight. The Midnight team made the announcement on Tuesday, officially opening the platform for developers worldwide to start building decentralized applications (dApps). Hoskinson highlighted the significance of this milestone, stating, “It’s worth giving some love their way.”
Midnight’s Focus on Data Protection and Privacy
Midnight is a sidechain designed to enhance data protection within the Cardano ecosystem. The platform aims to merge privacy with regulatory compliance, based on the belief that safeguarding sensitive data is key to building commercially viable dApps. By using zero-knowledge cryptography, Midnight ensures private transactions and secure dApp development without sacrificing security.
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Still under development, the new testnet provides a secure environment where developers can test blockchain-based applications that prioritize data protection. Midnight targets organizations and developers who seek transparency in blockchain while balancing data ownership, protection, and usage.
The Midnight team has designed this testnet to closely resemble a live mainnet, enabling developers to test with confidence. They have strengthened the network’s codebase and reduced the need for frequent resets during upgrades, making the platform more reliable.
Programmable Data Protection
Midnight offers programmable data protection credentials, allowing developers to decide which data to share on-chain and which to keep private.
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The platform uses a native programming language called Compact, based on Typescript, which simplifies smart contract development even for those with minimal blockchain experience. Instead of exposing sensitive data, developers can send cryptographically secure proofs.
Community Involvement and Future Opportunities
Since the devnet launch, Midnight has engaged the community through feedback channels like Discord and regular calls. The team has also planned hackathons to teach developers how to use Midnight’s data protection features. To build on the platform, developers need a suitable setup, such as macOS, Linux, or Windows WSL, along with resources like a full node and proof server.
The testnet launch marks a significant step toward the mainnet release. Hoskinson emphasized that while there are still milestones ahead for Cardano, this achievement stands out and deserves recognition.
