- Midnight Network has unveiled Google Cloud as one of the first operators of its federated nodes as it aims for full decentralization later this year.
- Other launch partners include asset manager Blockdaemon, blockchain company AlphaTON and Shielded Technologies, the company behind Midnight.
The Midnight Foundation has unveiled the first three federated node operators for its privacy-focused network, led by cloud computing leader Google Cloud.
Midnight Network launched the testnet last year, and at the recent Consensus Conference in Hong Kong, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson revealed that the mainnet will be rolled out before the end of next month, as we reported.
At mainnet launch, Midnight will rely on several federated nodes to manage the protocol under strict rules, managed by leading organizations to increase trust. This allows the Foundation to gradually distance itself and stimulate decentralization. In time, the federated nodes will pave the way for a fully decentralized state in which ordinary users can operate their own nodes.
Midnight’s model mirrors that of Hedera, which has a governing board that votes on protocol upgrades, sets rules and fees, oversees the treasury, and operates authorized nodes. It has 39 members who participate on a rotational basis, including Google, IBM, Dell, Ubisoft and Boeing.
As we reported, US logistics giant FedEx is the newest member, joining the council last week to bring expertise in global shipping.
Google Cloud joins the Midnight Network
The Foundation has unveiled its first three operators, with Google Cloud the most notable organization. The company, which dominates the cloud computing sector alongside Amazon’s AWS and Microsoft’s Azure, first revealed it was working with Midnight last year, CNF reported.
As @MidnightNtwrk prepares for mainnet, we’re expanding the ecosystem with a set of trusted federated node operators to support early network operations and infrastructure ahead of a transition to community-driven block production later this year.
@googlecloud is the first… pic.twitter.com/lBxUT0OcWM
— Midnight Foundation (@midnightfdn) February 17, 2026
In its announcement, the Foundation said that in addition to operating a node, Google Cloud will also operate other critical network infrastructure. Mandiant, the cybersecurity division, will monitor any threats to the network and respond to any incidents. This gives business users a security guarantee as they explore the network.
Additionally, the network uses Google Cloud Confidential Computing to protect private data. Confidential Computing protects data while it is being used or processed, not just in transit or at rest.
Richard Widmann, head of Web3 projects at Google Cloud, says:
By providing scalable infrastructure, we enable developers to experiment with innovative zero-knowledge frameworks to authenticate transactions without exposing sensitive data.
In addition to Google Cloud, Blockdaemon joins Midnight as a federated node operator. Blockdaemon is a blockchain infrastructure company used by exchanges, custodians, asset managers and banks to interact with on-chain assets. It currently secures more than $110 billion in digital assets for more than 400 institutions, with more than $10 billion invested in its network.
Blockdaemon manages more than 250,000 nodes and will bring this expertise in scaling node infrastructure to Midnight.
AlphaTON Capital, the company leading the development of the TON network, has also joined the network as a node operator. The AlphaTON Network previously worked with Midnight to introduce confidential AI to Telegram’s 1 billion users, as we reported.
“By building the critical infrastructure that powers confidential AI on a global platform, we are creating a highly scalable revenue stream,” said Enzo Villani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of AlphaTON Capital.
NIGHT token has been won 4.2% of the past day to trade on $0.058.