Astronomers have proposed a new cryptocurrency called 'GalaxyCoin' that pays researchers for discovering new galaxies.
April 1, 2026
Original Paper
An innovative alternative to traditional funding streams for extragalactic astronomy
arXiv · 2603.29340
The Takeaway
To solve the problem of shrinking research budgets, this system anchors digital money to real astronomical objects. Tokens would be generated and distributed based on verified spectroscopic data, essentially turning the discovery of the distant universe into a sustainable economic engine.
From the abstract
With traditional sources of funding for astronomical research under increasing pressure, it is timely to explore innovative alternative mechanisms. We therefore introduce GalaxyCoin, a novel cryptocurrency whose issuance, validation, and economic evolution are anchored to real astrophysical objects - galaxies. GalaxyCoin links digital scarcity to observational astronomy by using galaxy catalogues to parametrise token generation, distribution, and long-term supply growth, providing a transparent,