Crypto Entrepreneur Chun Wang Funds, Participates in SpaceX Polar Mission

In a move that blends the high-stakes worlds of cryptocurrency and space exploration,  crypto entrepreneur and adventurer Chun Wang has funded and participated in SpaceX's Fram2 mission, which launched early Monday. NASA officials said the Fram2 crew are the first humans to reach a polar orbit and the first to observe Earth’s poles from space.

Wang, a co-founder of the Bitcoin mining pool F2Pool and the staking service Stakefish, served as the mission’s funder and commander. SpaceX did not disclose the cost of the mission, but NASA has previously indicated it pays around $55 million per seat for astronauts on Dragon spacecraft, suggesting the privately funded mission could cost upwards of $200 million.

Wang co-founded F2Pool in 2013, which within a year became the world’s largest Bitcoin mining pool. While it now ranks as the fourth largest globally according to Luxor Technology’s hash rate index, Wang noted his company has mined approximately 1.3 million Bitcoins over the past decade. However, his interests have shifted over time.

Wang’s lifelong fascination with exploration dates back to childhood when he encountered a world map showing the blank expanse of the polar regions. His passion for travel continued through his university years and early career, culminating in extensive journeys before his venture into space. Wang stated that his flight aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft marks his 1,000th flight.

Speaking to Space Flight Now, Wang explained his evolving interests: "Now, I find myself drawn to another emerging field — a field I've been interested in since I was a child — space," he said. "Since SpaceX began recovering Falcon 9 boosters, the commercial space industry has been developing at an astonishing rate. Once again, I see some new and exciting things unfolding, just like I felt the first time I heard about computers and the first time I discovered Bitcoin."

Looking beyond the Fram2 mission, Wang has already set his sights on deeper space, expressing his belief that landing on Mars is becoming an attainable dream and that it’s time to start saving for it.

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