NAIROBI, KENYA — In a major development for East Africa’s “Silicon Savannah,” the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has officially granted a transmission license to Spacecoin.
The approval allows the U.S.-based startup to deploy satellite internet and Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring services, positioning it as the first decentralized competitor to Elon Musk’s Starlink in the region.
The license specifically authorizes Spacecoin to conduct pilot programs and test its blockchain-based satellite network, targeting rural and underserved regions where traditional fiber and mobile infrastructure are economically unfeasible.
Decentralized Architecture vs. Centralized Scale
While Starlink dominates the current market with a vertically integrated system of over 8,000 satellites, Spacecoin is introducing a “permissionless” model.
Unlike Starlink’s centralized control, Spacecoin utilizes a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) running on the Creditcoin blockchain.
Core Technological Distinctions:
-
Payment Systems: Users access the network via tokenized payments, potentially bypassing traditional banking hurdles.
-
Censorship Resistance: The company promises a “no kill switch” architecture, designed to operate independently of centralized ground-based control.
-
Privacy by Design: Through its upcoming “Starmesh” virtual network, Spacecoin aims to provide structurally private browsing and decentralized web services.
From Proof-of-Concept to Orbital Reality
Furthermore, Spacecoin has been rapidly validating its tech stack throughout the past two years.
In early 2024, the company successfully transmitted encrypted blockchain data across 7,000 km (from Chile to Portugal), proving that data integrity can be maintained entirely in space.
Expansion Timeline:
-
November 28, 2025: Successfully launched three CTC-1 satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
-
Q1 2026: Secured transmission licenses in Kenya and is pursuing similar Proof of Concept in Nigeria, Indonesia, and Cambodia.
-
Operational Goal: The CTC-1 constellation is currently testing real-time inter-satellite communication and seamless handovers as spacecraft move between coverage zones.
The Battle for Kenya’s High-Growth Market
Kenya is a strategic battleground. According to CA and KNBS data, satellite subscriptions in Kenya grew twenty-six-fold between 2022 and 2024, largely driven by Starlink’s entry.
As of September 2025, Starlink reported 19,470 users in the country, maintaining a 0.8% market share of the fixed internet segment.
“Regulatory bodies in key regions are recognizing that decentralized satellite technology can deliver scalability and affordability that traditional infrastructure cannot,” stated Spacecoin founder Tae Oh.
Moreover, Spacecoin is not initially chasing mass-market rooftop dishes. Its Kenyan license emphasizes IoT monitoring, suggesting an early focus on institutional, industrial, and agricultural sectors.
Competitive Headwinds
Despite Spacecoin’s innovation, the gap remains substantial. Starlink is already operational in 26 African countries and benefits from SpaceX’s internal launch capabilities and manufacturing scale.
Spacecoin, by contrast, is betting on a partnership-driven model where local entities handle ground operations and user support.
As Africa’s digital moment accelerates, Spacecoin is banking on the idea that in markets where internet freedom and local collaboration matter most, a decentralized alternative will find its footing.
Global Expansion and Local Partnerships
Spacecoin is betting on a partnership-driven model. While the company provides the satellite and network stack, local partners manage ground operations and user support.
On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the firm reached a pivotal milestone by announcing the launch of strategic connectivity pilots in four key countries: Kenya, Nigeria, Indonesia, and Cambodia.
This initiative transitions the company from theoretical development to practical, real-world deployment.
Under this partnership-driven model, Spacecoin maintains its role as the primary technology provider, supplying the core satellite infrastructure and decentralized network stack.
Meanwhile, local partners in each nation will take the lead on the ground, managing day-to-day operations, navigating regional regulatory landscapes, and providing direct support to local users.
. Nigeria: Building on an existing Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) license to bring high-speed connectivity to rural communities.
-
Cambodia: Partnering with local ISP MekongNet to extend market reach.
-
Indonesia: Collaborating with government agencies to deliver access across the country’s fragmented archipelago.
By focusing on regions where internet freedom and affordability are paramount, Spacecoin aims to prove that decentralized satellite technology is “a real movement with momentum that will unlock permissionless connectivity.”