Cardano Secures Game-Changing $23M Copper Partnership as Hoskinson Unveils Major Infrastructure Boost

Cardano just landed its biggest infrastructure partnership yet—and the $23 million injection signals serious institutional validation.

The Copper Connection

Charles Hoskinson's blockchain heavyweight teamed up with Copper, the digital asset custody specialist, to turbocharge Cardano's institutional framework. The collaboration brings enterprise-grade security and compliance tools directly into the ecosystem.

Why This Partnership Matters

This isn't just another funding round—it's a strategic move that positions Cardano directly against Ethereum's institutional dominance. Copper's infrastructure handles billions in digital assets, giving Cardano immediate credibility with the suit-and-tie crowd.

The Bullish Math

Twenty-three million dollars might sound like pocket change in traditional finance—where that barely covers executive bonuses—but in crypto, it fuels entire ecosystems. This partnership bypasses traditional venture capital routes and goes straight to infrastructure building.

Cardano's betting big that institutional adoption comes through security first, hype second. Because nothing says 'serious blockchain' like making traditional finance players actually comfortable with your technology.

TLDR

• Charles Hoskinson confirmed that $23 million has been spent to support Cardano Native Tokens.
• Hoskinson announced a new partnership between Cardano and the digital asset custodian Copper.
• He stated that Midnight was built to operate within the Cardano ecosystem and not as a separate entity.
• Over 70,000 users have already redeemed approximately $1.6 billion in NIGHT tokens.
• The Midnight airdrop includes a redemption program, a scavenger hunt, and a final token release.

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson announced that $23 million has been allocated to support Cardano Native Tokens. He made the statement during a surprise Ask Me Anything (AMA) session. Hoskinson also confirmed a new strategic partnership with digital asset custodian Copper.

Midnight Airdrop Gains Momentum as Hoskinson Denies Separation Claims

Charles Hoskinson dismissed claims that Midnight operates separately from cardano during the live session. He said, “Midnight was designed to work within Cardano, not apart from it.” He confirmed the initiative as integral to the network’s roadmap.

Hoskinson highlighted that the project is hosting one of the largest airdrops in crypto history. Over 70,000 users have redeemed $1.6 billion in NIGHT tokens through the supported blockchain. He explained the distribution method combines a redemption program, scavenger hunt, and final token release.

He emphasized that the process aims to increase community engagement across multiple ecosystems. The layered airdrop model ensures broader user participation. The project reflects the ongoing investment into Cardano’s growth and innovation.

Copper Partnership Expands Custodian Reach for Cardano Ecosystem

Hoskinson revealed a new agreement with Copper to support Cardano-based assets across exchanges using the firm’s custody service. He described it as a key MOVE to expand access to Cardano and Midnight. “This partnership increases custodian coverage for our ecosystem,” he said confidently.

He added that the deal builds on earlier collaborations with Blockchain.com, Bitcoin.com, and Brave. These platforms have pledged to back Cardano and Midnight assets. The agreements aim to boost adoption across multiple crypto exchanges.

In July, Cardano completed its integration with Blockchain.com, granting access to 37 million users. Hoskinson credited the Midnight Foundation for securing that deal. The announcement followed months of strategic planning and ecosystem alignment.

Foundation Criticism and Cross-Chain Collaboration Plans

Hoskinson sharply criticized the Cardano Foundation for not supporting the ecosystem effectively. He alleged that the foundation mishandled ADA funds and opposed their entitlement to Midnight tokens. “They have failed to provide meaningful support,” he stated.

He warned that the foundation’s role in governance could hinder Cardano’s progress. Despite internal challenges, the ecosystem continues advancing. Community developers and partners have maintained project momentum.

Hoskinson also revealed ongoing talks with leaders from Solana, NEAR, and XRP about future collaborations. He announced that XRP support will arrive in Cardano’s Lace wallet by year-end. The move reflects Cardano’s commitment to cross-chain interoperability.