Crypto billionaire Jed McCaleb is betting big on space, pledging half his fortune ($1B) to build private space stations through Vast Space. With SpaceX’s support and an aggressive timeline starting in 2026, McCaleb aims to replace the retiring ISS by 2030. Despite having zero aerospace experience, he’s lined up against serious players like Blue Origin’s NASA-backed Orbital Reef. Bold move for a crypto guy – though space might actually be less volatile than cryptocurrency.
In an audacious pivot from digital currencies to outer space, crypto billionaire Jed McCaleb is betting big on commercial space stations. The founder of Mt. Gox and Ripple isn’t just dipping his toes into the cosmic waters – he’s diving in headfirst with Vast Space, pledging a cool billion dollars of his own money. That’s half his fortune, by the way. Talk about putting your money where your moonshot is.
His plan? Build private space stations to replace the aging International Space Station. Not exactly a modest goal for someone with zero aerospace experience. But McCaleb’s got some serious backup – SpaceX has agreed to play ball, promising to ferry astronauts to Vast’s planned stations. Having Elon Musk’s rocket company in your corner certainly helps with credibility. The company joins other major players like Blue Origin’s Orbital Reef, which received $130 million in NASA funding.
From crypto to cosmos: McCaleb aims to build ISS replacements, with SpaceX’s muscle making the moonshot marginally less crazy.
The timeline is aggressive, even by Silicon Valley’s “move fast and break things” standards. Haven-1, Vast’s first station, is scheduled for a 2026 launch. Haven-2, the bigger, badder version aimed at replacing the ISS, is slated for 2028. McCaleb has secured a crucial SpaceX partnership for the station’s launch. Because apparently, building space stations is just like launching a crypto platform – except when it isn’t.
NASA’s watching closely. With the ISS set to retire around 2030, they’re shopping for private replacements through their Commercial LEO Destination program. McCaleb wants in on that action, competing against established aerospace giants for government contracts. It’s like showing up to a knife fight with a Bitcoin wallet.
The stakes are astronomical. Success could establish Vast as a pioneer in commercial space stations. Failure? Well, there goes half of McCaleb’s fortune. But hey, at least he’s used to volatile markets.
Between the technical challenges of building expandable space stations and the fierce competition for NASA’s attention, McCaleb’s cosmic gamble is either brilliant or bonkers. Maybe both. One thing’s certain – the crypto king is swapping digital moon shots for the real thing.
