When we talk about Midnight, we usually talk about the tech. We talk about ZK-proofs, privacy, and the power of "selective disclosure." But lately, I’ve been realizing that this ethos doesn’t just apply to the code—it applies to the people, too.
There is something almost "shielded" about how the Midnight Network handles rewards. It’s not always the loudest voices that get amplified. Instead, it’s a quiet recognition of those who are actually in the trenches.
The "Why Me?" Moment
I’ve watched people struggle for months, even years—myself included—trying to wrap our heads around this technology. And I’ve seen those same people rewarded in ways that felt almost surreal. I’m talking about people being flown to London, all expenses paid, not because they built the perfect app on day one, but simply because they showed up.
They interacted with the tools. They gave feedback. They tried.
I actually had people message me after receiving invites or rewards asking, "Is this a scam? Why me?" They couldn't believe that in an industry often driven by hype, they were being seen for their effort. During the first few hackathons, there were participants who didn’t even have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Yet, they received prizes in ADA and, perhaps more valuably, gained access to a team of brilliant engineers ready to coach them forward.
That is the hidden resource Midnight offers. It’s not just tokens; it’s the end of fighting with the tech alone and the beginning of building alongside the masters.
Validation Over Entitlement
For me, being part of this "aliit" (tribe/family),Midnights first cohort of tech Ambassadors, is the ultimate reward. It is the justification that validates all the FUD, the hate, and the hard work we’ve endured.
I can honestly say my life has changed because of Midnight. But it’s important to remember that no one is entitled to these things.
"There are people that have brought their projects to NEXT LEVEL things and partnerships formed... That is a reward. No one is entitled to these things. They earn them."
Midnight operates on a meritocracy that feels rare these days. They want those who are doing it for the love of what Midnight stands for. To receive a reward and not feel the need to shout it from the rooftops, but to quietly appreciate the validation? That is exactly what the Midnight ethos is all about.
The Validator Lesson
I’ll be honest—I really wanted to be a Midnight validator at launch.
I have the technical chops. I’ve run every node required, tested everything they threw at us, and registered just to say, "I completed it." I wanted to be part of history. I wanted to be included in something magical.
But I also knew the reality: I wasn’t going to get 1 million ADA staked to me in time.
At first, that stings. But then you look at who did get selected. Midnight chose to reward the Stake Pool Operators (SPOs) that have put in the work for years. The ones who kept their blocks going, maintained healthy pools, and actively contributed to the Cardano ecosystem.
They are being rewarded with the privilege of producing the first blocks ever recorded on the Midnight mainnet. And you know what? They deserve it.
They didn't just show up yesterday; they have been grinding and testing just like me, often with much higher stakes. Their delegates will reap the benefits, and the network will be secure because of them.
The Bottom Line
I can’t speak on behalf of the Midnight team, but this is what I have observed.
The reward isn't always money (though that happens). The reward is the partnership. The reward is the coaching. The reward is knowing that you were part of the genesis of something that changes the world.
Midnight is selective disclosure. They select those who grind, and they disclose a future to us that others haven't seen yet. And for me? That’s enough.
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