MoneyGram, Vodafone and eToro Join Midnight Node Alliance
Midnight Network Expands Federated Node Alliance Ahead of Mainnet Launch
The Midnight Foundation has announced that MoneyGram, Pairpoint by Vodafone, and eToro will each operate one of the ten nodes supporting Midnight, described as a fourth-generation blockchain focused on rational privacy for Web3. The development signals broader adoption of privacy-focused blockchain infrastructure at scale.
These three organizations, recognized leaders in payments, telecommunications, and digital finance join other participants such as Google Cloud, Blockdaemon, Shielded Technologies, and AlphaTON Capital on behalf of Telegram. Together, they form a federated group of node operators that will help secure and support the network before Midnight moves to fully community-driven block production later this year.
Midnight is designed to enable real-world use cases on public blockchains, where privacy standards, regulatory compliance, and operational stability must work together. By launching with established infrastructure operators, the network aims to provide developers with a stable environment to build privacy-focused applications. Reliable uptime and consistent performance allow teams to focus on using Midnight’s zero-knowledge architecture without needing to address early-stage infrastructure challenges.
“The organizations stepping forward to operate the network reflect the benchmark we are setting as we move closer to mainnet,” said Fahmi Syed, president of the Midnight Foundation. He noted that in the early phase of any network, operational stability is just as important as protocol design. By working with operators that already manage large-scale, always-on infrastructure, Midnight aims to provide its community with a dependable environment for building and deployment.
Beyond operating a node, MoneyGram, one of the world’s largest cross-border payments companies, active in more than 200 countries and territories, is collaborating with Midnight to explore how traditional payment systems can transition onto blockchain infrastructure while maintaining regulatory trust and protecting user privacy. This approach would allow confidential transactions where settlement can also serve as proof of compliance.
“MoneyGram has delivered practical crypto solutions for years, focused on expanding access to digital finance,” said Luke Tuttle, Chief Product and Technology Officer at MoneyGram. He added that participating as a node operator aligns with this strategy by embedding privacy, compliance, and reliability from the outset.
Pairpoint by Vodafone also plans to incorporate Midnight’s zero-knowledge architecture into its Economy of Things platform. With millions of connected devices transacting globally, Pairpoint is building infrastructure that enables machines to transact privately at scale. David Palmer, Chief Innovation Officer at Pairpoint, said trusted digital identity, authentication, and privacy are essential as IoT systems evolve toward an AI-driven economy.
Meanwhile, eToro—the NASDAQ-listed investment platform with over 35 million users—has joined as a founding federated node operator after announcing support for Midnight’s native token, NIGHT. Its participation adds a globally regulated fintech to the alliance.
“At eToro, we have been involved with the Cardano ecosystem since the Shelley era, when we became one of the first institutions to set up and operate an in-house staking system for the network,” said Omri Ross, Chief Blockchain Officer at eToro. He explained that the team was particularly interested in Midnight’s model for programmable data protection and selective disclosure, which aims to balance user confidentiality with regulatory compliance. Ross added that solutions offering detailed control over data visibility are expected to be essential in shaping the future direction of blockchain infrastructure.
Fahmi Syed added that when a global payments provider, a major technology company supported by a Fortune 500 telecommunications group, and a publicly traded fintech all decide to operate nodes on the same privacy-focused blockchain, it reflects the broader direction of the industry. He said MoneyGram, Pairpoint, and eToro recognize that privacy-enhancing architecture is essential for bringing their sectors onto blockchain networks, describing the current alliance as an early stage of a larger consortium.
Ross further stated that Midnight’s design for confidential smart contracts with built-in verifiability aligns with eToro’s long-term perspective that more asset classes will gradually move on-chain, requiring infrastructure capable of supporting secure, compliant, and large-scale markets.
The initial federated node operators will provide decentralization, stability, and security at launch, ahead of a planned shift to full community-driven block production later in 2026, with additional partners expected soon.
About Midnight Foundation
The Midnight Foundation supports the growth, adoption, and practical impact of the Midnight network, a privacy-focused blockchain created by Shielded Technologies. Midnight is built for confidential smart contracts and is designed to support decentralized applications that aim to remain censorship-resistant while meeting compliance standards. The network uses zero-knowledge proofs to protect data and operates with a cooperative tokenomics model. In this structure, NIGHT functions as the utility token, while DUST serves as the shielded capacity resource. Together, these elements are intended to support privacy, security, and decentralization within the ecosystem.
