Winklevoss Twins Purchase Space Trip With Bitcoin
The Winklevoss twins have purchased a space trip with Virgin Galactic for 375 Bitcoins, which are worth approximately $275,000. The twins said the tickets were purchased in support of emerging technology, which is expected to “build a better world.”
The former Olympians and Harvard alumni made headlines when they filed a $140 million lawsuit against Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss argued that Zuckerberg created his popular social networking site using their concept.
The brothers developed ConnectU while attending Harvard University. The website was launched as a social networking tool for college students. Like Facebook, ConnectU allowed users to display a public profile, connect with other students, and make status updates.
Although the case was eventually settled out of court, the twins received a reported $20 million cash and $45 million worth of Facebook stock.
In 2013, the twins took an interest in Bitcoin, which is a form of online currency. They reportedly contributed $1.5 million in seed funding to Bitcoin payment processor BitInstant. However, as BitInstant CEO Charlie Shrem was later indicted for money laundering, the brothers denied active involvement.
As reported by CNN, the Winklevoss twins eventually developed a price tracker for Bitcoin, which is called Winkdex. The brothers have claimed that they currently own nearly 1% of all existing Bitcoin.
In a blog post, Tyler Winklevoss explained that he and his brother’s most recent purchase is an investment in the future:
“Since their inceptions, Bitcoin and Virgin Galactic have been writing the next chapter in our history books. While one is ushering in a new era of post-currency, entirely ledger-based decentralized financial systems, the other is ringing in a new era of post-aircraft, sub-orbital spacecraft-based travel systems.”
Throughout his statement, Tyler discusses history, progress, and the future of technology. The Winklevoss twins believe all humans are born with a natural “desire to build beyond what we have inherited and push beyond out own preconceived barriers.”
Tyler credits these “fundamental human trait[s]” with the continual progress and advancement. He specifically applauds Bitcoin and Virgin Galactic, pointing out that he and his brother are “supporting a new technology that may forever change the way we travel, purchased with a new technology that may forever change the way we transact.”
In November 2013, Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson announced that Bitcoin will be accepted as payment for their future space flights. Although a date has not been announced, the flights are expected to begin by the end of the year.
The Winklevoss twins reportedly purchased tickets 700 and 701.
[Image via Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com]
