Input Output Global, a Cardano developer, has announced the launch of a new Midnight blockchain with a focus on privacy and a Dust token associated with the new network.
Developed on the basis of zero-knowledge-proof technology, the Midnight network is one of the side chains that are currently being deployed near Cardano. The new blockchain will go beyond the previous projects related to the confidentiality of coins, providing zero-knowledge-proof smart contracts. In fact, Midnight uses the technology of private coins with anonymity by default, as well as in Zcash and Monero.
According to Charles Hoskinson, voiced at an event at the University of Edinburgh, Midnight aims to maintain a balance between user privacy and providing regulators and auditors with a backdoor if there are appropriate rights to do so. An important component of the new blockchain has become a wide possibility of programmability, thanks to which a low entry threshold for developers is organized. Midnight blockchain will be aimed at working with consortia of large companies in the field of financial and accounting privacy.
Private coins have always been highly valued by the crypto community, but they have raised concerns of regulators due to the possibility of using confidentiality in criminal and fraudulent schemes.