On January 8, 2024, the cryptocurrency exchange BitMEX announced the launch of the Vulcan rocket headed for the Moon. Inside the rocket is a physical coin with a cryptocurrency wallet and access key containing 1 BTC.
It is expected that on February 23, 2024, the spacecraft will land on the Moon. Representatives of the exchange claim that the mission demonstrates the potential of Bitcoin and blockchain technology in creating a "borderless financial system beyond Earth."
The launch of the Vulcan rocket by United Launch Alliance (ULA) was supported by the firm Astrobotic. The cryptocurrency wallet, weighing 43 grams, is integrated into the Peregrine-1 landing module, which contains around twenty payloads from seven countries around the world.
If the mission is successful, it will be the first landing on the Moon of such level of spacecraft in more than 50 years, as reported in BitMEX's statement.
In addition to Bitcoin, there is also a wallet with the cryptocurrency Dogecoin on board, which was confirmed by the Dogecoin Foundation.
