Crypto Billionaire Jed McCaleb to Replace ISS with Haven-1 Space Station – Here’s How

Jed McCaleb, the founder of Mt. Gox and co-creator of Ripple, has made billions in crypto. But making money was never his end goal – he’s always been drawn to bold, high-risk ideas. Now, he’s taking his biggest gamble yet: building a private space station. His company, Vast, is developing Haven-1, a commercial space habitat set to launch by May 2026.

If he pulls it off, he could land a multi-billion-dollar deal with NASA and help replace the aging International Space Station (ISS). But if things go wrong, he stands to lose $1 billion – and perhaps the dream of seeing his vision take flight.

Haven-1: The First Step

Vast is developing Haven-1, a 33-foot-long space station that will launch with SpaceX in 2026. It will accommodate four people and offer basic amenities, but unlike the 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 hopes to be ready with an alternative. If Haven-1 proves successful, the company aims to launch Haven-2 by 2028, bringing a larger space station with advanced life-support systems.

A Risk-Taker Willing to Go All In

McCaleb has always been known for taking big risks. His longtime friend and former business partner, Sam Yagan, describes him as “slightly eccentric” because of his willingness to take on massive challenges. His vision aligns with that of Elon Musk Elon Musk   Elon Musk is a tech expert, Entrepreneur and the person behind Tesla, SpaceX, and X. He is hailed as one of the leading influencers of crypto. His tweets, especially for Bitcoin (BTC) and Dogecoin (DOGE), can move the crypto market upside-down.   Recently, Musk flipped an idea of integrating crypto payments with X. This move will futher facilitate crypto payments and make the X a 'Super App'.   He often participates in crypto debates and wants to educate investors about blockchain technology and the benefits of DeFi. He also supports Trump's crypto prospectives and wants a clear policy for the same.   Quick Facts   Full name Elon Reeve Musk Birth 28-07-1971, Pretoria, South Africa Nationality American, South African, Canadian Education BA, BS from the University of Pennsylvania Known for Entrepreneur, Crypto Influencer   Elon Musk - Career Highlights & Events   2020 – Tesla gained interest and backed Bitcoin   2021 – Elon Musk’s Tesla purchases $1.5B worth of Bitcoin. Accepts it as a payment method   2022 – Boosts Dogecoin (DOGE) as its integration is tested in Tesla's commodities assets   2023 – Announced crypto payment attributes for X   2024 – Advocated for crypto-based financial infrastructure at global occasions.   NAsales@teslamotors.com EntrepreneurInvestorChief Executive Officer , 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.

Vast has already secured multiple SpaceX launches for Haven-1 and future space modules. SpaceX will also provide critical parts like the docking adapter and Wi-Fi system.

McCaleb made his fortune in crypto. He launched Mt. Gox in 2010, which later collapsed in 2014. He then co-founded Ripple and owned 9% of XRP, gradually selling his stake over the years for about $3.2 billion. Despite his wealth, he has mostly stayed out of the spotlight, quietly pursuing ambitious projects.

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Competing for NASA’s Trust

Vast is up against major players like Blue Origin and Axiom Space. Unlike its competitors, however, it is entirely self-funded, giving it a unique advantage. Winning NASA’s contract in 2026 is crucial—without it, the company’s future remains uncertain.

Both McCaleb and Vast’s CEO, Max Haot, have even expressed interest in traveling to space themselves, showing their commitment to the project.

The next two years will decide whether McCaleb’s space gamble pays off or becomes another ambitious idea that didn’t take off. Either way, his track record proves he’s willing to take massive risks in the pursuit of something bigger.