Nvidia-Backed Startcloud Plans to Mine Bitcoin in Space Later This Year

Starcloud, a startup backed by Nvidia, plans to begin a Bitcoin mining operation in space before the end of the year, according to a report from Tom's Hardware.

The company intends to activate cryptocurrency mining ASICs after its second spacecraft, Starcloud-2, reaches orbit later this year. In an interview with Documenting Bitcoin, Starcloud CEO Philip Johnston said the firm would be the first to mine Bitcoin in space and that mining ASICs would be carried on the second spacecraft launching later this year.

Founded in 2024, Starcloud's stated primary goal is moving data centers into space. Its mission statement argues that falling launch costs will allow space-based data centers to make use of continuous solar energy and radiative cooling, scaling toward gigawatts while sidestepping the permitting limits faced on Earth. The company details its proposition in a white paper on its website, which highlights the appeal of training AI in space. According to Tom's Hardware, the same abundant solar energy also suits cryptomining.