Cryptocurrency goes to the moon.
In partnership with planetary mobility firm Lunar Outpost, California-based social intelligence company LunarCrush plans to deliver a treasure chest of 62 Bitcoins currently worth around $1.5 million to the lunar surface.
“The bitcoin prize, called Nakamoto_1, will be unlocked by the first space traveler to reach the moon and obtain the wallet’s private key, which will be etched onto a Lunar Outpost MAPP rover launching into space later this year,” a press release (opens in a new tab) if the project says.
Related: How blockchain can change the space industry
Animation studio Golden Wolf, along with Bitcoin developer tools company Hiro, have partnered with LunarCrush to pull off this extreme treasure hunt. These partners will sell an exclusive collection of NFTs to generate the money needed for the Bitcoin prize, which is intended to inspire the next generation of interplanetary exploration. The sale started on March 28 at lunarcrush.com/nakamoto1 (opens in a new tab).
“When you set a seemingly unattainable goal, the innovation that happens can be incredible. Our goal is to inspire people to build communities that will unlock a new era of exploration,” LunarCrush CEO Joe Vezzani said in the press release.
“We envision classrooms, groups, companies, and even DAOs [decentralized autonomous organizations] coming together to reach the moon and share the treasure chest’s rewards,” added Vezzani. “It’s like Willy Wonka’s ‘golden ticket’ to the Web3 era, and we couldn’t be more excited to see how it all plays out.”
Lunar Outpost’s MAPP is scheduled to launch late this year atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The rover will land near the moon’s south pole aboard Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lander.
After MAPP hits the gray dirt, any ambitious citizen on Earth can devise a mission to reach it and unlock the golden reward.
“What may sound strange to some will open new frontiers that have not been explored outside the mind for a long time. Future generations will look to us as pioneers in interplanetary exploration and adventure,” Forrest Meyen, co-founder and chief strategy officer. at the Lunar Outpost, the press release said.
“LunarCrush uses modern blockchain technology to deliver a treasure instead of organizing a prize committee. This structure incentivizes exploration while unlocking the best of human ingenuity,” Meyen added. “Lunar Outpost is proud to provide our first commercial lunar surface transport to innovative projects like Nakamoto_1.”
According to the press release, 25% of each NFT sale ($250 each) will be used to fund the lunar treasure chest, and an additional 25% of the proceeds will help fund a general “community marketing wallet” to help future Bitcoin core development and causes related to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education.
Global animation and design studio Golden Wolf was contracted to conceive the NFTs and special visuals ranging from static images to heavily animated collectibles to set the right tone for the space.
“We loved the idea that art could inspire a new generation of young people to look to the stars, like a modern version of an Apollo 11 poster on a bedroom wall,” said Ingi Erlingsson, founder and CEO of Golden Wolf, in a press release. “We wanted the aesthetic to feel modern and unique, with a touch of vintage sci-fi art.”
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