Chun Wang, a Chinese-born Maltese entrepreneur, has made headlines not only for his contributions to the cryptocurrency industry but also for his ambitious venture into spaceflight. As the financier and commander of the Fram2 mission, Wang is leading a pioneering expedition aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, marking the first human spaceflight to orbit directly over Earth’s poles.
The Crypto Mogul Behind the Mission
Wang’s journey to becoming a space explorer began in the world of blockchain. In 2013, he co-founded F2Pool, one of the earliest and largest Bitcoin mining pools globally. His expertise in cryptocurrency mining and blockchain technology propelled him to financial success, allowing him to expand his ventures beyond digital assets. Wang later founded Stake.Fish, a major Ethereum staking provider, further cementing his influence in the crypto industry.
In August 2024, SpaceX announced that Wang would be funding and commanding the Fram2 mission, a private astronaut flight designed to explore Earth’s polar regions. The mission launched on March 31, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying Wang and three other explorers into orbit.
The Fram2 mission is named after the Norwegian ship that made historic expeditions to the North and South Poles in the late 19th century. Wang and his crew aim to conduct scientific experiments while observing Earth’s polar regions from space.
A Life of Exploration
Beyond cryptocurrency and spaceflight, Wang is known for his adventurous spirit. He has traveled extensively, visiting over 100 countries, and has meticulously documented his journeys. His fascination with exploration, both on Earth and beyond, has driven him to push boundaries in multiple fields.
Wang’s involvement in Fram2 highlights the growing role of private investors in space exploration. His mission follows in the footsteps of other billionaire-funded space ventures, such as Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn. As cryptocurrency entrepreneurs continue to expand their influence, Wang’s journey serves as a testament to the intersection of blockchain wealth and space innovation.