Hot on the heels of Amazon and BeetleSat securing their operational licenses, U.S.-based Spacecoin has become the latest player to enter the fray, securing licenses to roll out satellite connectivity in Nigeria and Kenya.
This move has intensified the competition for Africa’s satellite broadband market, challenging Starlink’s dominance and signaling a major shift toward high-speed, space-based internet in the region’s largest economies.
Also Read: Spececoin Joins Others, Secures Licences for Satellite Connecitivity in Nigeria, Kenya
The United States-based firm, operated by Space Telecommunications Inc. (STI), is positioning itself as a radical alternative to traditional providers like Starlink. Unlike its competitors, Spacecoin operates a “decentralized” network, blending low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites with blockchain technology.
Spacecoin made its official debut at Korea Blockchain Week 2024. Below are the ten things you need to know about this new entrant:
The Blockchain Backbone and “No Kill Switch” Network
Unlike traditional satellite providers owned by single corporations, Spacecoin is built as a Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network (DePIN). Spacecoin is notable in the industry because it doesn’t just use satellites.
By operating as a DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network), the system is designed to be “permissionless,” meaning it functions as an open protocol. It also means that the network isn’t controlled by a single central company that can easily “switch it off.
Spacecoin is built on the Creditcoin blockchain. Because it is managed via blockchain, the company claims the network has “no kill switch,” making it resistant to centralized censorship or localized shutdowns. Each of their satellites functions as a “node” in this decentralized network.
Physical Decentralization
Most satellite providers rely heavily on massive “gateways” (ground stations) that are owned and operated by the company. Spacecoin’s model is designed to be more distributed.
Powered by the Creditcoin Blockchain
Spacecoin is not just a hardware company; it is deeply integrated with the Creditcoin blockchain. Every satellite in the constellation—including the recently launched CTC-1 units—functions as a node. This allows the network to log every data transmission securely on a public ledger, providing transparent verification of service without needing a central authority.
Satellite-to-Satellite Link
Their “CTC-1” constellation (the one recently launched in late 2025) is testing direct inter-satellite communication. This reduces the need for constant ground station contact, making it more resilient in remote areas of Nigeria and Kenya.
The Open Protocol
Their stack is open-source, allowing third parties to eventually contribute their own satellites or ground stations to the network, earning tokens in return (similar to how Bitcoin miners earn rewards for securing the network).
On-Chain Transactions
Users can pay for data using the SPACE token or other cryptocurrencies. Every bit of data transmission is verified and recorded on a public ledger.
Furthermore, Spacecoin founder, Tae Oh in a statement to Reuters noted that, “when a transaction is sent on its network, it will be checked against previous records on the blockchain which will automatically reject anything that doesn’t match.
“For people using the internet, this means the information or payments they send through the network can’t be faked, changed, or intercepted by bad actors,” he said.
Record-Breaking “Space Transactions
The company has already proven its technical core. In late 2025, Spacecoin successfully routed the world’s first end-to-end blockchain transaction through space. The data was sent from ground points via its CTC-0 satellite without relying on any terrestrial internet infrastructure, proving that decentralized finance (DeFi) can operate entirely beyond Earth’s surface.
Spacecoin’s data travelled more than 7,000 km via satellite from Chile to the Azores in the test, conducted with Bulgarian microsatellite maker EnduroSat.
Also Read: China Flags National Security Concerns Over Starlink Satellites
Aggressive Pricing Strategy
While Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper target premium and enterprise users with kits often costing hundreds of dollars, Spacecoin has set its sights on extreme affordability. The company aims to provide connectivity at a very low rate per month in emerging markets like Nigeria. This is intended to serve the “unconnected” in rural areas where current satellite costs remain prohibitive.
“Beyond end users, we are also targeting builders – such as developers, telecom companies, NGOs, and infrastructure partners,” Oh said.
Credit Building through Connectivity
In a unique twist for the Nigerian market, Spacecoin’s partnership with the Gluwa ecosystem allows users to build a credit history simply by using the internet.
This system is designed to provide financial identity to the unbanked in emerging markets. As users pay for data using the native SPACE token, their payment consistency is recorded on-chain.
Through integration with Credal, a credit-rating system on Creditcoin, users can access “buy now, pay later” options for internet access, further building their credit profile with each timely payment.
This “financial identity” can then be used to access micro-loans,that were previously unavailable to those without traditional banking records, thereby, bridging the gap between digital and financial inclusion.
High-Tech “Mesh” Constellation
The hardware is as advanced as the software. The new CTC-1 satellites launched in late 2025 are designed for “intersatellite links.” This allows the satellites to talk to each other directly in orbit. For Nigerian users, this means lower latency and a more resilient connection, as the signal can “hop” between satellites to find the fastest path to a ground station.
