Midnight Foundation Announces Google Cloud as First Federated Node Operator

• Midnight Network has revealed 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 firm AlphaTON and Shielded Technologies, the company behind Midnight.

The Midnight Foundation has revealed the first three operators of federated nodes for its privacy-focused network, led by cloud computing leader Google Cloud.

Midnight Network launched the testnet last year, and during the recent Consensus conference in Hong Kong, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson revealed that the mainnet will roll out before the end of next month, as we reported.

As it launches the mainnet, Midnight will rely on distinct federated nodes to operate the protocol under strict rules, operated by industry leading organizations to boost trust. This will allow the Foundation to step away gradually to boost decentralization. In time, the federated nodes will pave way for a fully decentralized state where ordinary users can operate their own nodes.

Midnight’s model mirrors that of Hedera, which has a governance council that votes on protocol upgrades, sets rules and fees, oversees the treasury, and operate permissioned nodes. It has 39 members who participate on a rotating basis, including Google, IBM, Dell, Ubisoft and Boeing.

As we reported, American logistics giant FedEx is the latest member, joining the council last week to contribute expertise in global shipping.

Google Cloud Joins Midnight Network

The Foundation has unveiled the first three operators, with Google Cloud as the most notable organization. The company, which dominates the cloud computing sector alongside Amazon’s AWS and Microsoft’s Azure, was first revealed to be working with Midnight last year, as CNF reported.

In its announcement, the Foundation said that Google Cloud will operate other critical network infrastructure in addition to operating a node. Mandiant, its cybersecurity division, will monitor for any threats to the network and respond to any incidents. This will give enterprise users a security guarantee as they explore the network.

Additionally, the network will tap Google Cloud’s Confidential Computing to protect private data. Confidential Computing protects data while it’s being used or processed, not just in transit or rest.

Richard Widmann, who heads Web3 projects at Google Cloud, commented:

Besides Google Cloud, Blockdaemon is joining Midnight as a federated node operator. Blockdaemon is a blockchain infrastructure firm used by exchanges, custodians, assets managers and banks to interact with on-chain assets. It currently secures over $110 billion in digital assets for over 400 institutions, with over $10 billion staked on its network.

Blockdaemon operates over 250,000 nodes, and it 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 has previously partnered with Midnight to introduce confidential AI to Telegram’s 1 billion users, as we reported.

“By building the critical infrastructure that enables confidential AI on a global platform, we are creating a highly scalable revenue stream,” commented Enzo Villani, the chairman of the board at AlphaTON Capital.

NIGHT token has gained 4.2% in the past day to trade at $0.058.