Bitcoin on Mars? It's Closer Than You Think
Imagine sending Bitcoin (BTC) to a friend on Mars — not in science fiction, but in reality. According to a new white paper by tech entrepreneur Jose E. Puente and physicist Carlos Puente, it could soon be done in as little as 3 minutes.
The researchers unveiled a system called Proof-of-Transit Timestamping (PoTT) — a protocol designed to track and secure Bitcoin transactions as they hop across space relays, satellites, and stations from Earth to other planets.
What Is PoTT and How Does It Work?
PoTT acts like a digital passport for Bitcoin payments in space. As a transaction moves through each node — Earth ground stations, satellites, Moon relays, etc. — it gets a timestamp at arrival and departure.
“It’s like getting stamped at every border you cross,” Puente told Cointelegraph.
These timestamps create a secure, traceable trail of the payment, even across interplanetary distances.
The Technology Already Exists
The researchers say the core technology is ready:
- ✅ Optical communication links (e.g., NASA’s DSOC, Starlink lasers)
- ✅ Lightning Network for fast, layered Bitcoin payments
- ✅ Existing satellite networks (Blockstream, SpaceChain)
- ✅ Simulations using Mars-level latency (~3 to 22 minutes)
The only thing missing? Someone — or something — to receive Bitcoin on Mars.
Interplanetary Money: Why Bitcoin?
Puente argues that Bitcoin’s neutral, decentralized design makes it the ideal base currency for a multi-planet civilization:
“We need a monetary base that isn’t tied to one company, government, or even planet,” he said.
Elon Musk has also acknowledged the need for a shared currency for Mars colonists. Although he initially critiqued Bitcoin’s 10-minute block times, Puente believes PoTT + Lightning Network solve that.
What About Mars Blackouts?
Every 26 months, Mars experiences a two-week communication blackout when it's behind the Sun. Puente suggests routing around it using solar orbit relay satellites.
The paper also outlines planet-agnostic design — meaning PoTT can be used for payments to the Moon, asteroids, or any other future off-Earth colonies.
Not Just a Theory: Bitcoin Already in Space
PoTT builds on earlier milestones:
- 2018: Blockstream links Bitcoin to satellites
- 2020: SpaceChain sends BTC from the International Space Station
- 2024: Blue Origin begins accepting crypto (BTC, ETH, SOL, USDT, USDC)
"By 2050, sending BTC for rent on Mars could be as routine as sending an email,” says Puente.
🚀 Final Thoughts: Bitcoin Could Be the First Interplanetary Currency
With private spaceflight, AI agents, and satellite networks rapidly advancing, Bitcoin may soon be more than just a global asset — it could be an interplanetary one.
“If we’re serious about a multi-planet civilization, Bitcoin is the shared monetary standard we need,” Puente said.
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