Bitcoin can be sent and received without internet using satellites that broadcast blockchain data from space.

The Blockstream Satellite network, launched in August 2017, uses a constellation of geosynchronous satellites positioned approximately 35,786 kilometers (22,236 miles) above Earth to broadcast the Bitcoin blockchain globally. The system provides coverage to nearly every landmass, including North and South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions.To receive the data, users need a standard small satellite dish and a specialized receiver, such as a Software Defined Radio (SDR), connected to a computer running Bitcoin Core. The system uses the DVB-S2 protocol, the same standard used for satellite television, ensuring reliable data transmission. This allows the blockchain to remain updated even if a country's internet infrastructure is shut down or censored.While receiving blockchain data requires no internet connection, sending transactions still requires an alternative method to broadcast back to the network. Options include low-bandwidth solutions such as SMS, mesh networks like goTenna, or amateur radio. In 2019, Blockstream expanded the service with an API that allows users to broadcast encrypted messages from space for a small fee paid via the Lightning Network.This technology is essential for financial sovereignty in developing nations and conflict zones where infrastructure is unreliable. By removing dependence on local Internet Service Providers, Bitcoin becomes a truly global and resilient financial system. It ensures that the ledger remains accessible to anyone, anywhere, regardless of local connectivity.