BitMEX, the world’s leading crypto derivatives exchange, is sending Bitcoin to the Moon on January 8 at 02:18 am ET from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. Working in partnerships with Astrobotic, Bitcoin Magazine, and Oxcart Assembly, the mission’s success will prove the potential of Bitcoin and blockchain technology in creating a truly borderless financial system beyond Earth, in addition to the inaugural Western soft lunar landing since NASA's Apollo 17 mission in 1972. The Bitcoin carried on the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket, and integrated onto Peregrine-1, commercial lunar lander, is scheduled to reach the Moon in late February (tentative arrival date: February 23, 2024).
After an Earth orbit, Vulcan rocket will launch and place Peregrine-1 on a lunar trajectory outside of the Earth’s atmosphere, where Peregrine-1 will power on and continue to the 7-week of lunar orbit phase. A live broadcast is available on NASA TV upon registration: https://shorturl.at/twyCI.
Stephan Lutz, CEO at BitMEX, added, “The mission is a momentous achievement in space exploration, representing the first step of creating a monetary system for a space economy. Perfectly preserved for future generations, the Bitcoin on the Moon is a time capsule that captures one of the most significant human innovations and technological advancements. This decisive leap forward is just the beginning of a new era. I’m excited to see what lies ahead for decentralised finance where financial systems transcend earthly boundaries and empower individuals across the cosmos.”
BitMEX’s physical Bitcoin, weighing 43 g and loaded with 1 BTC (equivalent to approximately US$45,000 as of January 8, 2024) is amongst the 201 payloads from governments, companies, universities, and NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative to travel to the lunar surface. Engraved with a public address (1MoonBTCixFH3XTrWRCbMpK23o74nQrA1Q) and a private key, this will be the first-ever financial asset sent to the Moon. The Bitcoin will remain on the lunar surface with Peregrine, where BitMEX invites the crypto community and future generations to interact with the physical coin, whether on Earth or in space, enabling individuals to send personal messages and their own satoshis to the Moon. Noteworthy payloads from the crypto community also include a copy of the Genesis Block from Bitcoin Magazine.
Samuel Reed, co-founder of BitMEX, who also spearheaded the creation of the mission plan in 2021 said, “We are thrilled about the launch, thanks to the dedication of like-minded partners who share our commitment to pushing the boundaries of exploration. We hope our pursuit to expand the horizons of technology and finance will inspire a new generation of innovators and pioneers to reach for the stars. Fostering a future where cryptocurrency and space exploration go hand in hand, paving the way to explore uncharted territories and fuel the evolution of Bitcoin beyond Earth.”
In celebration of this historical journey, there will be a trading competition with prizes during the orbit phases.