Why Banks Don't Want Ethereum or Solana — And What They Actually Need

At the Digital Asset Summit 2026 in New York, a key question came up: what do banks actually need from blockchain? The answer isn't speed or hype — it's privacy, compliance, and protection from front-running. In this episode, Peter breaks down why public chains like Ethereum and Solana fall short for institutional use, and where Cardano and Midnight fit into the picture.

The episode covers the three core requirements institutions have — selective disclosure, execution predictability, and compliance tooling — and explains why neither Ethereum nor Solana can deliver on all three natively. Peter walks through how MEV (maximal extractable value) creates a hidden tax on public chains, why that's a dealbreaker for banks moving serious capital, and how Midnight's programmable privacy using zero-knowledge proofs offers a fundamentally different approach.

The broader Cardano ecosystem also gets a look-in: Leios for scaling, Layer 0 for cross-chain connectivity, USDX for stablecoin liquidity, and PIF for oracle data — all building towards an institutional-grade stack that pairs with Midnight's privacy layer.

Key Takeaways:
- Banks need privacy, compliance tooling, and execution predictability — not just speed.
- Ethereum and Solana are public by default, which creates liability for institutions handling sensitive transactions.
- MEV (maximal extractable value) is a hidden cost on public chains that lets bots front-run large trades.
- Midnight offers programmable privacy using zero-knowledge proofs — private where needed, provable where required.
- Selective disclosure lets institutions prove compliance to regulators without exposing business strategy to the market.
- Midnight's mainnet launches end of March 2026, with Monument Bank and Google already involved.
- Cardano's broader ecosystem — Leios, Layer 0, USDX, Pyth— complements Midnight to form a full institutional stack.
- The real question isn't which chain is fastest, but which chain meets actual regulatory and operational requirements.

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Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. Nothing constitutes financial advice.

DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or legal advice. I am not affiliated with, nor compensated by, the project discussed—no tokens, payments, or incentives received. I do not hold a stake in the project, including private or future allocations. All views are my own, based on public information. Always do your own research and consult a licensed advisor before investing. Crypto investments carry high risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. I am not responsible for any decisions you make based on this content.

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