WSJ Tech News Briefing: SpaceX Sends First Indian Astronaut to Space in 41 Years

Episode Release Date: June 25, 2025 Host: Victoria Craig, The Wall Street Journal

1. Historic SpaceX Launch Marks a Milestone for Indian Space Exploration

In a groundbreaking mission, Elon Musk's aerospace company, SpaceX, successfully launched its Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station (ISS), carrying a crew of four astronauts. Notably, this mission includes the first Indian astronaut to venture into space in over four decades, reinvigorating India's presence in the cosmos.

Victoria Craig highlights the significance of this achievement, stating at [00:35]: “SpaceX today launched its Falcon 9 rocket on a mission to the International Space Station. On board were four astronauts, including the first Indian astronaut to travel the Cosmos in 41 years.”

The crew is slated to spend two weeks aboard the ISS, conducting vital research on microgravity and exploring commercial activities that could pave the way for future private-sector ventures in space. This mission not only underscores SpaceX's role in advancing human spaceflight but also symbolizes a renewed collaboration between private enterprises and international space agencies.

2. SpaceX Ventures into Digital Investments Amid Changing Securities Landscape

As a private entity, SpaceX traditionally does not offer shares to the public. However, in an exclusive report, The Wall Street Journal reveals that investment platform Republic is set to introduce digital tokens mirroring the performance of private SpaceX shares starting this week.

Victoria Craig discusses the implications of this move at [02:15]: “But the Journal exclusively reports investment platform Republic says starting this week it'll sell digital tokens that mirror the performance of private SpaceX shares.”

This initiative is part of a broader trend where cryptocurrency exchanges and brokerages are leveraging blockchain technology to reinvent traditional securities. Despite the innovative approach, significant concerns remain. Potential investors purchasing these tokens will not have access to SpaceX's financial statements nor will they hold actual equity in the company, raising questions about transparency and investor rights.

Legal experts are scrutinizing whether companies like SpaceX will challenge these digital offerings and how regulators will respond to such unconventional securities. The lack of direct ownership and financial transparency poses potential legal hurdles and risks for both the issuers and investors.

3. The Genius Act: Transforming the Stablecoin Landscape and Regulatory Oversight

The episode delves into the recently passed Genius Act, a legislative measure poised to revolutionize the stability and regulation of digital tokens, particularly stablecoins. As Victoria Craig explains at [05:50]: “The Genius act, which passed the Senate last week, aims to bring more oversight to digital tokens that carry a fixed price usually pegged to stable assets like the US Dollar.”

This act has garnered widespread attention, attracting major retailers such as Walmart and Amazon, who were previously skeptical of incorporating cryptocurrencies into their operations. The Genius Act mandates stringent oversight for stablecoins, which are designed to maintain a stable value by being pegged to assets like the US Dollar, Bitcoin, or precious metals.

A significant focus of the legislation is on Tether, the largest player in the stablecoin market. Tether's stablecoins are only partially backed by reserves, including Bitcoin and precious metals, and the company has historically resisted full financial transparency. Under the Genius Act, Tether faces a stern ultimatum: “[…] shape up or get kicked out of the US Market.”

This enforcement is expected to compel Tether to enhance its financial disclosures and strengthen its reserve backing to comply with the new regulations. The passage of the Genius Act marks a pivotal shift towards mainstreaming stablecoins while ensuring greater accountability and stability within the digital currency ecosystem.

Conclusion

This episode of WSJ Tech News Briefing underscores significant advancements and challenges within the tech and financial sectors. From SpaceX's historic space mission featuring India's first astronaut in over four decades to the innovative yet contentious emergence of digital investment tokens, and the transformative impact of the Genius Act on stablecoins, the discussions highlight the dynamic interplay between technology, regulation, and global collaboration.

For those interested in a deeper exploration of these topics and more, be sure to tune into Thursday's Tech News Briefing podcast.