Input Output CEO and founder Charles Hoskinson announced a deal to move LayerZero to the Cardano blockchain during a keynote speech at Consensus Hong Kong on Thursday.
LayerZero is a blockchain aimed at powering institutional-grade markets that received investment from Citadel Securities on Wednesday.
The announcement comes alongside Midnight’s mainnet launch, which was also revealed Thursday morning.
Hoskinson, comically wearing a McDonalds uniform in a nod to the recent market crisis, said: “The industry is unhealthy. Shit is getting real. Twitter is a nuclear waste dump. Sentiment is at an all-time low.”
But he insisted that it was a micro-decession and that “macroeconomics remain optimistic.”
“And to prove it, I’m excited to announce our partnership with LayerZero,” he said. “We’re bringing USDCx to Cardano with a set launch date, complete with extensive wallet and exchange support. This means stablecoins with true privacy and immutability, powered by zero-knowledge technology. It’s institutional grade and it’s happening now, alongside the launch of the Midnight mainnet. Get ready, folks. This changes everything.”
UPDATE (February 12, 2026, 02:21 UTC): Adds additional information and comments from Charles Hoskinson.
