Spacecoin is a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) that uses a blockchain-enabled constellation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) nanosatellites to provide secure, affordable, and censorship-resistant internet access to underserved and remote areas globally. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Spacecoin founder Tae Oh to learn more.
Tae Oh’s Background
Could you tell me more about your background? Oh said:
“I founded Spacecoin to tackle one of the most persistent (and surprising) barriers in the digital economy: internet access. My background has always been at the intersection of blockchain and financial inclusion. Before Spacecoin, I founded Gluwa, which builds blockchain-based solutions for underserved markets, and Creditcoin, a Layer-1 blockchain that has facilitated millions of microloans across emerging economies. These experiences taught me that access to finance and access to the internet are inseparable. Without reliable connectivity, people cannot benefit from the digital tools designed to help them. That’s what drove me to launch Spacecoin.”
Formation Of The Company
How did the idea for the company come together? Oh shared:
“The idea was born from seeing firsthand the disconnect between blockchain innovation and the infrastructure needed to support it. Creditcoin showed decentralized credit rails could work, but only if people could reliably connect to the network. In countries where millions remain offline, internet access is the bottleneck. Traditional telecoms don’t invest in rural areas where returns are low, and premium satellite services remain unaffordable and often out of reach. We saw an opportunity to apply the same decentralized model that worked for finance to connectivity itself – a satellite-powered DePIN where participation is open and rewards are distributed fairly.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory working for the company so far? Oh reflected:
“The launch of our first satellite, CTC-0, with SpaceX in December 2024 was unforgettable. It transformed Spacecoin from a concept into the reality that we were officially involved in the space industry. I think the majority of us grow up mesmerized by outer space, so it was pretty surreal to watch our very own satellite launching in a rocket to be deployed in orbit. It was an unforgettable experience!”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Oh explained:
“Spacecoin is building a decentralized internet stack. At its core will be low-Earth orbit nanosatellites that provide coverage directly from orbit. The system is also designed to integrate with other decentralized protocols. Through Walrus, users can access storage, while Creditcoin provides financial rails for payments and credit building. Combined, these elements create an internet suite where people can communicate, store data, and transact – all without dependence on centralized providers. Alongside the constellation, we’ve built Starmesh, a Virtual Satellite Network that enables private browsing through decentralized relay nodes.”
Challenges Faced
Have you faced any challenges in your sector of work recently, and how did you overcome those challenges? Oh acknowledged:
“Satellite infrastructure is one of the most complex industries to enter. Launch costs are high, spectrum licensing is difficult, and skepticism about decentralization runs deep. We’ve addressed these challenges in three ways. First, by designing small, low-cost satellites that can be scaled incrementally instead of requiring billions upfront. Second, by building partnerships in markets where governments see digital inclusion as a priority.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Oh cited:
“Our first major milestone was the launch of CTC-0 in December 2024, marking the beginning of live space-to-ground connectivity. In recent testing, we also successfully accomplished the world’s first end-to-end blockchain transaction relayed via nanosatellite, proving cryptographic security in space.”
“And later this year, we plan to launch CTC-1, our next generation of three satellites, which will serve as proof that our model can scale.”
“Previously, through Gluwa, we distributed more than ₦100 billion in loans in Nigeria using Creditcoin rails, showing our financial layer in action.”
Total Addressable Market
What total addressable market (TAM) size is the company pursuing? Oh assessed:
“Globally, more than 3 billion people remain offline. The broadband market is worth over $500 billion annually, and the unconnected represent a TAM in the hundreds of billions. We are targeting markets like Nigeria, Indonesia, and India where affordability is the barrier, not demand. If we can connect even a fraction of these populations, the upside is transformative.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Oh affirmed:
“While often compared, we do not see ourselves as competitors to companies like Starlink and OneWeb because we are serving different markets with specific lifeline needs. Spacecoin is designed from the ground up to be decentralized, affordable, and censorship-resistant.”
“Our goal of a $2 per month pricing model speaks directly to underserved markets. The DePIN architecture means no single actor controls the network or decides who can connect. And by integrating with protocols for storage and finance, Spacecoin is building a full decentralized internet stack. This combination makes us more than an ISP – we are building the foundation of an open internet.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future goals? Oh concluded:
“By the end of the year, our priority is launching CTC-1, a constellation of three satellites, to test satellite-to-satellite handoffs. By 2026, we plan to scale toward commercial coverage, with live satellite-to-satellite networking proving global reach. Alongside technical progress, we aim to deepen partnerships with NGOs and governments, ensuring that connectivity is not just available but also affordable and inclusive. Long term, the goal is for Spacecoin to serve as the open protocol for global connectivity – a public good that anyone can join and build upon.”
