Cryptocurrency exchange HTX and TRON founder Justin Sun have launched the Mars Program: Special Edition, a $6 million campaign offering one user a fully funded space voyage, Business News Asia reported.
The campaign, which runs from May 7 to May 13 (UTC), invites all HTX users who have completed Level 3 Know-Your-Customer (KYC) verification to apply. Five new finalists will be selected based on criteria including registration date, trading activity, net fee contribution, and asset balance.
They will join seven existing candidates, forming a pool of 12 from which one winner will be chosen to participate in a space mission alongside Justin Sun in July 2025.
“This mission isn’t about elites or executives—it’s about empowering users,” Sun said in a statement. “Space exploration should be accessible. With this journey, we want to bring the crypto spirit beyond Earth’s limits.”
The $6 million ticket is personally funded by Sun, known for his headline-making ventures across the Web3 and fintech sectors. The initiative reflects HTX’s broader ambition to extend blockchain’s relevance beyond finance, into culture, exploration, and global narratives.
HTX’s Mars Program has previously completed seven rounds, selecting individuals for future space travel opportunities. The Special Edition marks a significant expansion, opening the door to a wider global audience of users rather than a small group of elites.
Founded in 2013, HTX has evolved from a digital asset exchange into a full blockchain ecosystem, covering digital trading, investments, research, incubation, and derivatives. Operating under the strategy of “Global Expansion, Thriving Ecosystem, Wealth Effect, Security & Compliance,” HTX aims to position itself as a major gateway to Web3 innovation.
Participants must complete the application process before May 13 to be eligible. The final winner will be announced in the coming months, ahead of the anticipated space launch scheduled for July.
HTX’s Mars Program highlights the industry’s growing ambition to connect blockchain technology with real-world milestones, pushing the limits of what digital communities can achieve beyond financial infrastructure.