TLDR
- Hoskinson said Midnight Passport is one of his favorite product features.
- He said Midnight Passport could help bring one billion users into crypto.
- Supporters praised Midnight’s privacy, selective disclosure, and simpler user design.
- David Schwartz challenged claims that stablecoins can avoid freeze and seize orders.
Charles Hoskinson has reignited debate over crypto adoption after saying Midnight Passport could help bring a billion users into the industry. His claim quickly drew praise for Midnight’s privacy-focused identity tools, yet critics questioned whether the project can deliver where earlier Cardano adoption promises fell short in the past.
Hoskinson puts Midnight Passport at the center
Charles Hoskinson said Midnight Passport is “one of my favorite product features” he has worked on. He added that it could be “a key initiative” to bring a billion users into crypto.
The comment gave Midnight a fresh adoption angle. It framed Passport as a user gateway, and not only a privacy tool.
Midnight is Cardano’s privacy-focused partner network, and Passport sits within that effort. The product aims to make identity easier while keeping user data more controlled.
That pitch matters because crypto still struggles with hard wallets, risky sign-ins, and weak recovery tools. So projects keep chasing products that hide complexity.
Supporters focus on privacy and simpler user design
Some replies backed Hoskinson’s view and pointed to user experience. One user said crypto needs to “abstract away all the complexity” and feel more like web2.
Another reply said Midnight’s ZK identity layer remains underappreciated. The user added that selective disclosure is hard onchain, yet useful for institutions and compliance-heavy cases.
Those reactions show why Passport drew attention beyond Cardano supporters. Backers see privacy, smoother onboarding, and cross-chain access as features that could widen adoption.
They also point to a wider issue across the market. Many crypto tools work for experts, but far fewer feel simple for everyday users.
Critics question execution as debate spreads
Not every response welcomed the claim. One critic said Cardano once made similar promises around Africa, digital identity, and billions of users.
That reply said the story had shifted before and could shift again. As a result, the post reopened doubts about delivery and follow-through.
The discussion also moved into a wider debate about crypto product values. Omid Malekan said a future stablecoin issuer may stand out by refusing freeze and seize actions.
Ripple CTO David Schwartz pushed back on that idea. He said court orders can dissolve legal redemption duties, which raises questions about redemption and reserves.
That exchange showed a split in crypto product design. Some users want stronger neutrality, while others stress legal duties and clear redemption rules.





