Gaining currency

Large firms signal mainstream acceptance of crypto

Cryptocurrencies came a step closer to widespread mainstream acceptance last weekend. Aerospace major Space-X will accept payment in cryptocurrency Dogecoin from Geometric Energy Co to send a 40-kg satellite to the moon in the first quarter of 2022. The contract value of the first crypto-funded space launch, the “DOGE-1 Mission to the Moon”, was not disclosed. Ironically, on that weekend itself, Space-X founder Elon Musk sent the value of Dogecoin plummeting by 35 per cent, when he joked Dogecoin was a “hustle” on the comedic programme, Saturday Night Live (SNL). Musk had earlier talked up Dogecoin, calling it a “people’s