Cardano Scores Japan Win as Sony-Backed S.BLOX Lists ADA and NIGHT

Cardano has secured a significant expansion in Japan after Sony Group-affiliated cryptocurrency exchange S.BLOX added support for ADA and Midnight’s privacy-focused NIGHT token.

S.BLOX, a Japanese crypto exchange owned by Sony Group Corporation, announced that Cardano (ADA) trading would become available starting August 24. Sony On-Chain Technologies Inc., a wholly owned Sony Group subsidiary, acquired the exchange in August 2023.

To mark the Cardano listing, S.BLOX launched a promotional campaign allowing eligible users to receive up to 10,000 yen worth of ADA. The move gives Cardano greater exposure in Japan, a market known for its strict cryptocurrency listing requirements.

At the same time, S.BLOX introduced support for NIGHT, the native token associated with Cardano’s privacy-focused Midnight network. The exchange said NIGHT had not previously been handled by any domestic crypto-asset exchange operator, making S.BLOX the first Japanese platform to list the token.

S.BLOX is also offering users up to 14,000 yen worth of NIGHT through a separate campaign celebrating the launch.

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson welcomed the development during a recent livestream, describing NIGHT’s Japanese debut as a major milestone. He highlighted the lengthy and rigorous process cryptocurrency projects typically face before securing approval for exchange listings in Japan, pointing to Cardano’s own experience with ADA.

Hoskinson also emphasized the significance of gaining access for a token connected to privacy-preserving blockchain infrastructure. Japan has historically maintained strict standards for digital assets, resulting in a comparatively limited selection of cryptocurrencies on regulated domestic exchanges.

The listing could therefore strengthen both Cardano and Midnight’s presence in the Japanese crypto market while providing local investors with greater access to their ecosystems.

Midnight, Cardano’s privacy-focused sidechain, officially launched in March 2026. Its NIGHT token debuted earlier, in December 2025, and is designed to support the network’s privacy-preserving ecosystem.

With S.BLOX now supporting both ADA and NIGHT, the Sony-backed exchange is expanding its cryptocurrency lineup while Cardano gains another important foothold in one of Asia’s most closely regulated digital asset markets.