Space Telecommunications Inc. Launches Blockchain-Based Proof-of-Location System to Combat Spoofing

Since its introduction to the public in the 1990s, GPS has revolutionized how people navigate and interact with the world. Initially a military tool, GPS has become an essential part of modern life, powering various services from food delivery and social media to ride-hailing apps and critical logistics operations. The convenience of location-based services (LBS) relies on the assumption that the location data they use is accurate and trustworthy. However, this assumption has been challenged over the past decade.

With the rise of location spoofing, enabled by services like mock GPS, VPN, and proxy, users can easily manipulate their location. While some uses of spoofing may seem harmless, such as catching a rare Pokémon or unlocking more matches on dating apps, the potential for malicious exploitation is significant. Fake location data can be used to commit fraud, bypass regulations, or sabotage services. For instance, delivery platforms may be manipulated to accept orders from drivers who are not actually nearby, causing delays and undermining customer trust. In gaming, spoofing can give unfair advantages in location-based competitions. More concerning, fraudulent geolocation data can be used to fake compliance in regulated industries or to access geo-restricted content and services under false pretenses.

This growing vulnerability has highlighted the need for a way to verify location data that cannot be faked or tampered with. Blockchain technology offers a solution to this challenge by recording location proofs in a transparent, immutable, and decentralized ledger. This allows applications to confirm physical presence without relying on trust alone.

Recognizing this need, Space Telecommunications Inc. (STI), the legal entity behind the Web3 project Spacecoin, has developed a blockchain-based proof-of-location (PoL) system. This patented system is designed to move beyond the vulnerabilities of traditional LBS and verify geospatial data in a tamper-resistant, decentralized way. At its core, STI’s system replaces blind trust in GPS signals with a distributed verification method. Instead of relying solely on a device’s own location report, the system enables nodes to measure each other’s positions using radio frequency (RF) signals.

Through what STI calls the “PING-PONG” method, each node sends and receives RF signals from its peers and calculates the time it takes for these signals to return. This innovative approach creates “lightspheres,” which are spherical regions indicating maximum distances to other nodes, effectively acting as 3D bubbles that pinpoint a node’s possible location without synchronized clocks. The nodes then share these results using an “ECHO” signal. Collectively, this data lets the network triangulate a node’s actual location. As the process eliminates the need for synchronized clocks or centralized servers, and all results are recorded on the blockchain, the system is highly resistant to tampering and spoofing.

Moreover, the PoL system is customizable, allowing users to define their own verification conditions, such as limiting acceptable movement thresholds or requiring motion-based challenges to confirm presence. This approach adds flexibility for developers while maintaining security.

PoL can improve operations in a wide range of industries. In cybersecurity, it can add a geographic condition to access controls and limit access to sensitive systems or data to specific locations. In finance, location-verified actions can serve as an added security factor for high-value transactions. Logistics companies can use the system to verify shipment handoffs or track high-value goods in real time, bringing full transparency across the supply chain while cutting costs. With PoL, Internet of Things (IoT) devices can also gain protection against hardware spoofing or remote hijacking.

PoL will also be integrated into Spacecoin, a project by STI. Spacecoin builds a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) to offer permissionless internet across the globe, mainly focusing on regions with poor or no internet infrastructure. To achieve this goal, the project sends satellites into space, with the first one already launched last December 2024. Three more are waiting to be launched in October this year. While the team prepares for satellite launches, an airdrop program is underway. It is inclusive and open to participation by everyone, regardless of their experience with crypto. The program will provide an opportunity for individuals to engage with the Spacecoin ecosystem and contribute to its mission of democratizing internet access.

As location data becomes more integral to digital and physical systems, the need for tamper-proof verification is no longer optional. PoL focuses on measurable presence rather than self-reported claims, offering a practical solution for sectors where location integrity directly affects safety, fairness, and operational efficiency.