Blockstream, the blockchain development firm has expanded their satellite service and is now broadcasting the Bitcoin (BTC) blockchain to all of Earth’s major land masses, according to Forbes.

The broader coverage comes via the addition of a fifth leased satellite. It brings potential internet-free Bitcoin transactions and information sharing to crypto users in the Asia Pacific area. The satellite service is still in beta but has already been available across Africa, Europe, as well as South and North America.

What’s more, Blockstream has reportedly introduced a new application programming interface (API), which enables the satellites to be used to exchange encrypted messages and pay for them via micropayments on the Lightning Network. 

A team of AI experts has published the Artificial Intelligence  2018 annual report. The report outlines the growth in AI academic research, use by industry mentions by the government, patents and technical performance in computer vision, and natural language processing.

One way to measure AI activity across different locations was by the output of academic papers. In this way, Europe was leading and made up 28 percent of AI papers last year, followed by China, which made up 25 percent, and the US at 17 percent.

The most talked about subjects were machine learning and probabilistic learning, neural networks, and computer vision.

Exciting news for space enthusiasts! There are four launches scheduled in the next 36 hours.

Read about each launch here: https://asgardia.space/en/news/4%20Rocket%20Launches-are-Scheduled-Within-the-Next-24-Hours

Do you take part in internet-free Bitcoin transactions? If so, how and why?

Let us know in the comments below!