Mt. Gox & Ripple Co-Founder Jed McCaleb Aims to Replace ISS with Haven-1

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From Crypto to Space! Jed McCaleb, known for founding Mt. Gox and co-creating Ripple, is now aiming for the stars—literally. His latest venture, Vast, is building a commercial space station called Haven-1, which is expected to launch by May 2026. If everything goes as planned, McCaleb could secure a multi-billion-dollar contract from NASA to help replace the aging International Space Station (ISS). But if things go south, he could lose a staggering $1 billion, putting the future of his space dreams in trouble.

Haven-1: The First Step

Vast is developing Haven-1, a 33-foot-long space station set to launch with SpaceX in 2026. It will hold four people and offer basic amenities, but unlike the International Space Station (ISS), it won’t recycle water or air, making it suitable only for short stays. NASA plans to retire the ISS by 2030, and Vast wants to be ready to take its place.

The SpaceX Partnership

McCaleb has always been known as a bold risk-taker, willing to go all-in on ambitious projects. According to his long-time friend and former business partner Sam Yagan, McCaleb is “slightly eccentric” in his willingness to take massive risks. His vision aligns with that of Elon Musk, as both believe in expanding human life beyond Earth.

“There are not that many folks who are willing to dedicate the amount of resources and time and risk tolerance that I am,” McCaleb told Bloomberg. Moreover, Vast has already secured multiple SpaceX launches for Haven-1 and future modules. SpaceX will also provide parts like the docking adapter and Wi-Fi system. If Haven-1 proves successful, Vast plans to launch Haven-2 by 2028, leading to a larger space base with life-support systems.

Jed made billions from crypto, first launching Mt. Gox in 2010, which later collapsed in 2014. He then co-founded Ripple and held 9% of XRP, selling his stake over the years for around $3.2 billion. Despite his wealth, Jed has stayed out of the spotlight and prefers taking big risks quietly.

The Race for NASA’s Contract

Vast is competing with companies like Blue Origin and Axiom Space. But unlike them, Vast is fully self-funded, giving it a unique advantage. Winning the NASA contract in 2026 is crucial—without it, the company may not survive. Jed and Vast’s CEO, Max Haot, are even open to going to space themselves.

The next two years will determine if McCaleb’s space gamble pays off—or if it becomes just another bold but failed experiment.