A Bitcoin Satellite Just Transmitted the ‘First Pepe In Space’

Cryptocurrency industry figures were celebrating a tech innovation of a different kind this week after the bitcoin network transmitted what many are calling the first space meme.

A Meme To ‘Go Down In History’

The latest first to come from bitcoin development company Blockstream’s Satellite network, an unknown source sent the developer known as grubles an encrypted Pepe meme via the Lightning Network-powered setup.

Pepe, which has endured online and even offline as a popular – albeit not always positive – meme, appeared for grubles in the guise of bitcoin Car Talk podcast presenter Mikeinspace.

The latter’s Twitter account is now known as ‘1st Pepe In Space.’

“This would be the first Pepe to be transmitted exclusively via satellite, and so it’s fitting that the card relates to (Mikeinspace),” an accompanying transaction message reads.

So, I just received an encrypted Rare Pepe from space via the ⚡️-powered #SatelliteAPI 🛰️. #BlocksreamSatellite #SpacePepes 😂 pic.twitter.com/yC5Ns6j0Qz

— grubles (@notgrubles) February 27, 2019

The gesture gained immediate fame, with open source library and information resource Messari revealing Pepe was its most popular summary for February 28.

“Pretty sure this is going to be in the history textbooks for kids to study in Meme class,” Blockstream CEO Samson Mow added on Twitter.

Blockstream Tweaks Internetless bitcoin Transactions

As Bitcoinist reported, Blockstream Satellite broadcast its first message from outer space in January, in the form of a piece of text from an unnamed developer sent to grubles.

The implementation currently covers around 70 percent of the Earth’s surface, Blockstream aiming to expand it in order for anyone on the planet to send a bitcoin transaction without internet access.

“Fees are paid using Lightning testnet (yes, that means free broadcasts!) and after a period of successful testing, the satellite API will switch to mainnet to become one of the world’s first bitcoin-powered satellite services,” the company confirmed revealing its user-oriented beta version in January.

Blockstream already offers various options for bitcoin users interested in participating in the satellite network. Its official website tracks sent and queued satellite broadcasts, which are publicly visible.

What do you think about the Blockstream Pepe transmission? Let us know in the comments below!

Images courtesy of Shutterstock

Published at Fri, 01 Mar 2019 09:00:12 +0000

November 9, 2017

Technology & Choice #23, People and Projects at the Texas Bitcoin Conference (part 1)

I had some great talks with folks at the Texas bitcoin Conference in late October.

This episode:

Paul Puey, CEO of Airbitz and the new Edge wallet, on taking the core concepts and success of Airbitz and taking it to a new level of reach and implementation, rebranding as Edge, and making it much more than just a wallet, but a real tool for security.

Julian Smith, Pres. and CEO of Blockfreight, about integrating blockchain tech into the vastly important movement of freight round the world.

Dhruv Bansal, Co-founder and CSO, Unchained Capital, about why “friends don’t let friends sell bitcoin” and the advantages of borrowing rather than selling an appreciating asset.

John Bushe, Pres. and Permaculture Designer for ZeroWaste, about the vast resources squandered in wasteage, the opportunities and benefits of exploiting them, and how blockchain tech is being targeted for integration to improve outcomes.

Ernest Hancock, Editor and Chief of the publishing and activist site Freedoms Phoenix, and host of the broadly popular radio show, Declare Your Independence. Ernie was at the conference to network and share the collaborative project called “Pirates Without Borders.”

Thanks to Paul and Linda Snow, and all who made the Texas bitcoin Conference possible.