NIGHT is the native token of Midnight, a privacy-focused Cardano partner chain built on zero-knowledge proofs. Holding NIGHT generates DUST, the shielded resource that pays network fees.

NIGHT doesn't have to stay in the crypto ecosystem; outside the network, there are also ways to put NIGHT toward something more practical. At Polkastarter, NIGHT holders can buy physical collectibles, such as rare trading cards, sealed products, and video games. It's a simple way to put NIGHT toward something tangible, and new users can get a free mystery pack when they sign up.

One of the most useful options is travel. CoinBooking lets users book hotels and flights at prices up to 30% below Booking.com. New users can also get $25 off their first booking.

Here are six ways to use NIGHT in 2026.

Key Takeaways

• Physical collectibles are available on Polkastarter, including authenticated trading cards, sealed products and video games. New users can also claim a free mystery pack.
• CoinBooking accepts NIGHT for flight and hotel bookings, at prices up to 30% below Booking.com. New users can also get $25 off their first booking.
• Within Midnight, NIGHT generates DUST, the shielded and non-transferable resource that pays transaction fees, and it is also used for governance and block production rewards.
• Supported crypto debit cards can bring NIGHT into everyday spending. Mastercard-linked cards work at millions of shops where the provider supports both the card and NIGHT.
• NIGHT can also pay for gift cards, prepaid vouchers, and mobile top-ups from more than 5,000 brands through Coinsbee, as well as give access to early-stage token sales on CoinTerminal.

What Is Midnight (NIGHT)?

Midnight is a privacy-focused blockchain built as a partner chain of Cardano. It uses zero-knowledge proofs and selective disclosure, so applications can verify data without exposing it. The network created its genesis block on 17 March 2026 and made its full public debut on 30 March 2026.

Midnight was developed by Input Output Global, the engineering company behind Cardano, and conceptualised by Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson. The Midnight Foundation named Google Cloud, Blockdaemon and Shielded Technologies among the first federated node operators for mainnet.

NIGHT is the network's unshielded utility token. It launched on Cardano as a native asset in December 2025, after the Glacier Drop and Scavenger Mine distribution phases. The maximum supply is 24 billion NIGHT, with about 17 billion in circulation.

How Does Midnight (NIGHT) Work?

Midnight is a privacy-focused blockchain that lets developers build applications with both public and private data. Its Compact language manages private and public states within a single contract, while zero-knowledge proofs confirm that a transaction is valid without revealing the data behind it.

The network separates its capital asset from its fee resource. Holding NIGHT continuously generates DUST, a shielded, non-transferable and decaying resource that is spent on transaction fees and smart contract execution.

Because fees are paid in DUST rather than NIGHT, costs stay more predictable. NIGHT itself is used for governance and block production rewards.

What I like about Midnight is that you don't spend your NIGHT just to use it. If you hold NIGHT, it keeps generating DUST, and DUST is what pays your fees. So your costs stay predictable, and apps on the network can prove things about your data without ever showing it.

1. Buy Physical Collectibles With NIGHT on Polkastarter

Polkastarter allows NIGHT holders to access authenticated physical collectibles, including trading cards, sealed products, video games, and other items. Ownership is recorded on-chain, and the physical items stay in professional custody.

Depending on the platform's options, owners can request delivery of their items or list them back on the marketplace. NIGHT is not currently accepted directly at checkout, so users must first swap it to a supported cryptocurrency.

Once the account is funded, users can browse available collectibles and Lootboxes, with details on contents, value, and odds provided before purchase. New users can claim a free mystery pack after signing up.

Visit the Polkastarter marketplace for current inventory and supported payment options.

Polkastarter is a good fit if you're into trading cards, sealed products or video games. You pay for the item in crypto, it stays in professional custody, and you choose later whether to have it delivered or list it back on the marketplace. Just remember to swap your NIGHT for a supported cryptocurrency beforehand.

2. Book Hotels and Flights With NIGHT on CoinBooking

Your NIGHT can do more than sit in your wallet. CoinBooking lets you book hotels and flights at prices up to 30% lower than Booking.com, accepting NIGHT alongside 200+ other cryptocurrencies. CoinBooking is a leading Dubai-licensed crypto travel platform that gives you access to more than 2 million hotels and flights in 190+ countries.

NIGHT can be used directly for your booking, so there's no need to swap it into fiat first. CoinBooking also accepts Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, giving travellers several payment options.

For frequent travellers, those savings can add up quickly. New users can also get $25 off their first booking.

What I like about CoinBooking is that you don't need to cash out beforehand. If a trip is on your calendar, you cover the hotel or the flight with your NIGHT right at checkout, and it can come in at up to 30% less than on Booking.com.

3. Use NIGHT Across the Midnight Network

NIGHT is at its most useful on the Midnight network itself. As long as holders keep their NIGHT, it regenerates the DUST needed for transactions and smart contract execution, so using apps on Midnight does not mean spending the token.

NIGHT is also the token for governance on the network, and block producers earn their rewards in it. DUST, by contrast, is shielded and non-transferable, which keeps fee costs separate from the NIGHT market price.

Most holders received NIGHT through a multi-phase distribution. The Glacier Drop opened claims to self-custodying holders on Cardano, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, XRP Ledger, BNB Chain, Avalanche and Brave, while the Scavenger Mine let anyone claim NIGHT by solving computational puzzles.

More than 4.5 billion NIGHT were claimed across those two phases. Redemptions thaw in stages, and the thawing period ends on 29 November 2026.

This makes sense, because the Midnight network is where NIGHT does the most for you. If you use apps on Midnight, the DUST your NIGHT regenerates covers your fees, so you don't spend the token itself. And if you claimed in the Glacier Drop or Scavenger Mine, your NIGHT keeps thawing until 29 November 2026.

4. Spend NIGHT With a Crypto Card

NIGHT can also be used for everyday purchases with crypto payment cards. Depending on the provider, these cards can be used for online and in-store purchases wherever Visa or Mastercard is accepted, as well as payments through Apple Pay and Google Pay.

RedotPay covers users across Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, although it is not open to US residents. KAST provides both physical and virtual cards, while Ether.fi pairs self-custody with cashback on eligible purchases.

To begin, choose a provider that covers your location, fund the account with NIGHT, and then order a card. Check each provider's fees, features, and availability before signing up.

What stands out to me about crypto cards is how little really changes for you. Whether you pay with the card online or tap your phone with Apple Pay and Google Pay, the money now comes from your NIGHT. Choose a provider that's available where you live, since the options differ by region.

5. Buy Gift Cards and Everyday Products With NIGHT on Coinsbee

Coinsbee opens up everyday spending for NIGHT. It supports more than 200 cryptocurrencies and provides gift cards, prepaid products, and mobile top-ups from over 5,000 brands across 185+ countries.

You can use NIGHT on categories such as shopping, groceries, gaming, travel, food delivery, and entertainment. Choose the brand and amount you want, select NIGHT at checkout, and complete the purchase. After the payment is confirmed, the digital code is sent via Coinsbee's delivery process.

Ranges vary from one country to the next, so it's worth checking the catalogue for your region first.

Coinsbee is a good fit if you'd like your NIGHT to cover ordinary things. You choose a gift card for groceries, gaming or food delivery, select NIGHT at checkout, and receive a digital code once the payment is confirmed. Take a look at the catalogue for your country first, since it isn't the same everywhere.

6. Access Early-Stage Token Sales Through CoinTerminal

NIGHT holders can also turn to CoinTerminal to take part in early-stage token sales before the projects reach exchanges. Contributions start from $100, and there is no staking requirement to participate.

NIGHT isn't accepted directly, so you'll need to swap it into the asset required for the sale, usually USDT. Each launch also includes a refund window, with the applicable terms set for that sale.

Visit CoinTerminal for the token launches currently available and their individual terms.

What stands out to me about CoinTerminal is that you can get in before the projects hit exchanges. There's no staking requirement, contributions begin from $100, and every launch comes with a refund window. Check the terms of the sale you choose, since each one sets its own.

Sources

• Binance Academy, What Is Polkastarter (POLS)?
• Revolut, Polkastarter (POLS) Price Today
• CoinMarketCap, Polkastarter trade volume and market listings
• Midnight, Midnight official website and NIGHT ecosystem overview
• CoinMarketCap, Midnight (NIGHT) price, market cap and live token data

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does Midnight crypto do?

NIGHT is the native utility token of Midnight, a privacy-focused Cardano partner chain built on zero-knowledge proofs. Holding NIGHT generates DUST, the shielded resource that pays for transaction fees and smart contract execution, and the token is also used for governance and block production rewards.

2. Can I book hotels and flights with NIGHT?

Yes. Through CoinBooking, a Dubai-licensed crypto travel platform, you can book from more than 2 million hotels and flights in 190+ countries at prices up to 30% lower than Booking.com. You can pay directly with NIGHT, and Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay and Apple Pay are accepted as well. New users can also get $25 off their first booking.

3. Is Midnight a part of Cardano?

Yes. Midnight is a partner chain of Cardano, developed by Input Output Global and conceptualised by Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson. It runs its own ledger, consensus and smart contract environment, while NIGHT first launched on Cardano as a native asset in December 2025.

4. Can you buy Midnight crypto?

Yes. NIGHT trades on several major exchanges, including Binance, OKX, Bybit and Kraken. Binance, OKX and Bybit list it against USDT, while Kraken offers a NIGHT/USD pair. The token first launched on Cardano as a native asset, and CoinMarketCap also lists it as a BEP20 token on BNB Smart Chain.

5. How much is one Midnight token worth?

On 11 October 2026, one NIGHT was worth about $0.049. That puts Midnight at #72 on CoinMarketCap, with a market capitalisation of around $817 million. The token hit its all-time high of $1.81 in December 2025 and now trades about 97% below that level.