Bitcoin is decentralized, so computers all over the world running "full nodes" work to confirm transactions and keep the network safe. Nodes can also contribute to community decisions about code changes to bitcoin. But running a full node requires a full version of the bitcoin blockchain (which contains a record of every bitcoin transaction since 2009) to be continually downloaded to your machine. If you live somewhere where the internet is extremely expensive, like the Canadian Arctic , this can make the idea of contributing to bitcoin a non-starter.

"The cost of running a bitcoin node is probably about $100 or less a month, for the internet connection, in the West," said Blockstream CEO Adam Back over the phone. "But in other parts of the world, that might go to living expenses for their family or something like that."

Blockstream's satellite network beams the blockchain directly to your computer for free, but the hardware to make use of the system may still cost a bit. According to the project's GitHub documentation, you'll need a computer (duh), a TV satellite dish, a receiver, and a Software-Defined Radio (SDR) USB stick that allows your computer to receive radio frequencies.

"We wanted people to be able to repurpose their TV satellite dishes or find an old one somewhere, because they're everywhere," said Chris Cook, head of the satellite project, over the phone. "After that, all you need is a little USB dongle that costs $20 and a [receiver], which is about a $12 item."