Starting this January, SpaceX will launch a satellite powered by Hedera Hashgraph’s HBAR cryptocurrency.
The news, shared today on Swiss national television, marks a huge step forward for both space and blockchain technology.
Crypto Powered by HBAR Takes Off with SpaceX
This mission is a collaboration between SpaceX, Hedera, and WISeKey, a Swiss cybersecurity company. The satellite will process cryptocurrency transactions in orbit, paving the way for a future where payments might zip between satellites, redefining how we think about money across Earth—and beyond.
Hedera’s rise to the stars isn’t by chance. Recently, a NASA research paper explored Hedera’s technology, highlighting its potential for secure, fast, and energy-efficient systems. This kind of attention caught the eye of many, including SpaceX.
Just yesterday, Charles Hoskinson, the founder of Cardano and a partner in the Decentralized Recovery Alliance (DeRec), visited SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California. His visit seemed to spark even more interest in how blockchain and space exploration could join forces.
Why It Matters
So, what’s the big deal about sending HBAR to space? For starters, it’s not just about showing off cool technology. This satellite will explore how cryptocurrency can work in space environments, a critical step toward building payment systems for future space industries and even Mars colonies.
Think about it: someday, humans might live on Mars or in orbiting space stations. How will they pay for goods and services? Cash and credit cards won’t cut it. A satellite-based system could make transactions seamless, ensuring commerce continues smoothly across the stars.
This mission isn’t just a win for Hedera—it’s a game-changer for blockchain technology as a whole. If successful, it could open doors for other projects to follow suit. Just as the first moon landing inspired a generation, sending HBAR to space might light the way for future breakthroughs in how we think about money and technology.
