NIGHT, PIPPIN Pursues $1B Caps Amid Mainnet and AI Agent Hype Risks

Two cryptocurrency projects are positioned to potentially reach a market capitalization of $1 billion in the first half of 2026, according to a market analysis published by Finbold.

Midnight, a privacy-focused token on the Cardano network, launched in December and has seen rapid growth, approaching the $1 billion market cap threshold. The token briefly reached this milestone earlier this month before declining amid broader sector volatility, according to market data.

The launch of the project’s main network, designated Kūkolu, is scheduled for the end of March. The deployment will move the network from its current Hilo phase to a real-world environment designed to support privacy-preserving smart contracts, according to project documentation. The launch represents the first major utility test for the network.

Midnight faces a set token unlock schedule that could introduce selling pressure as locked tokens become available for trading. According to market observers, near-term price performance is expected to be influenced by the March mainnet launch and announcements of potential partnerships.

Pippin, an AI agent meme coin associated with founder Yohei Nakajima, has seen recent gains. The project’s trajectory depends on its ability to establish partnerships and develop tools for community use cases, according to the project analysis.

The token’s market position reflects risks common to meme coins, including concentration of supply among insider wallets and reliance on speculative trading. Market data shows the tokens trading above key moving averages, with derivatives data indicating increased open interest during recent rallies and high leverage levels.

Both tokens carry significant risk factors, including regulatory scrutiny of privacy-focused cryptocurrencies and the volatility inherent in speculative digital assets. Market analysts characterize these investments as high-risk opportunities targeting speculative traders rather than conservative investors.