Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has reassured the group {that a} main announcement involving Midnight remains to be on the best way.
His feedback got here after rumors emerged that the extremely anticipated Japanese partnership he teased in June had collapsed following a partnership between Japanese monetary big SBI Group and the Solana Basis.
SBI-Solana Partnership Sparks Hypothesis
As beforehand reported, SBI Group partnered with the Solana Basis as a part of efforts to place Japan as a number one hub for institutional on-chain finance in Asia. Consequently, some Cardano group members questioned whether or not SBI was the identical firm Hoskinson had referenced a number of weeks earlier.
One group member steered that the newly introduced SBI–Solana partnership might have been the deal Hoskinson had beforehand hinted at, arguing that the settlement could have fallen via earlier than SBI finally selected Solana.
The hypothesis rapidly gained traction as a result of Hoskinson had earlier revealed that Midnight was near securing a big partnership in Japan.
Hoskinson Separates SBI Partnership From Midnight Deal
Nonetheless, Hoskinson swiftly dismissed the rumors and made it clear that the SBI–Solana partnership is unrelated to Midnight.
In accordance with the Cardano founder, the SBI collaboration had “nothing to do” with the settlement he has been discussing. He additionally harassed that the anticipated announcement is “nonetheless pending,” indicating that the rollout stays ongoing relatively than being canceled.
Notably, his clarification reassures the Cardano group that the beforehand teased Japanese initiative has neither been changed nor deserted.
This had nothing to do with that deal. ANN nonetheless pending
— Charles Hoskinson (@IOHK_Charles) July 14, 2026
Preliminary Midnight Teaser
Hoskinson’s newest remarks refer again to feedback he made in June, when he revealed that Midnight secured a big partnership with a serious Japanese firm.
On the time, he admitted he was stunned that Cardano had managed to draw such a distinguished companion. Though he declined to establish the corporate, he disclosed that the initiative revolves round NIGHT liquidity in Japan.
Following his newest clarification, the Cardano group continues to await the long-promised announcement.
Why the Midnight Partnership Issues
Midnight stays one of the crucial vital technological developments inside the Cardano ecosystem. Designed as a complementary privacy-focused blockchain, it permits organizations to course of delicate monetary, enterprise, and regulatory information whereas preserving the safety and transparency of Cardano’s public ledger.
Since its launch, Midnight has already attracted a number of high-profile companions, together with Google and Telegram-related AlphaTON Capital. Consequently, a profitable partnership with a serious Japanese firm might additional strengthen Midnight’s institutional credibility and develop its presence in one among Asia’s most necessary monetary markets.

