Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has introduced a new concept for deeper integration between Cardano and XRP, with the Midnight sidechain playing a key role.
Unlocking DeFi Without Leaving XRPL
Hoskinson explained that Midnight will enable XRP users to access DeFi features like staking, lending, and liquidity pools, without moving their tokens off the XRP Ledger. This will be possible as XRP does not support smart contracts, and integrating this sidechain could provide the ecosystem with a new layer of utility while allowing users to keep their assets securely on-chain.
Wallet and Stablecoin Support
The collaboration doesn’t stop with Midnight. Hoskinson confirmed that Cardano’s Lace Wallet will soon support XRP, allowing holders to manage multiple assets under one interface. There are also ongoing discussions to integrate Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin into the Cardano ecosystem, providing a USD-pegged liquidity option for DeFi platforms operating on Midnight.
Airdrop Campaign Targeting XRP Community
To spark interest and user activity, Cardano has launched two airdrop campaigns: the Midnight Drop and Glacier Drop. XRP holders with at least $100 worth of XRP as of June 11, 2025, are eligible to claim a portion of the 1.2 billion NIGHT tokens, the governance token for Midnight. Midnight is already live on testnet, and its mainnet launch is expected later this year.
Thus, the new collaboration between Cardano and XRP opens opportunities for users of both projects, enhancing functionality and access to DeFi without leaving the XRP ecosystem.
