Blockchain can be the solution against location spoofing — Here’s how

Since its rollout to the public in the 1990s, GPS has transformed how we move, navigate and interact with the world. What began as a military tool evolved into an indispensable component of modern life, powering everything from food delivery and social media to ride-hailing apps and critical logistics operations.

The seamless convenience location-based services (LBS) offer depends on one assumption: that the location data they rely on is accurate and trustworthy. But throughout the last decade, that assumption has been heavily tested.

Ever since the Pokémon GO craze kicked off, location spoofing has become more common and accessible. Services like mock GPS, VPN and proxy enable users to easily manipulate their location. Though the goal in some cases may seem innocuous — such as to catch a rare Pokémon or unlock 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 example, delivery platforms may be manipulated to accept orders from drivers who are not actually nearby, causing delays and undermining customer trust while also giving manipulators an unfair advantage.

In gaming, spoofing can give unfair advantages in location-based competitions. Even 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 a critical need: a way to verify location data that can’t be faked or tampered with. Blockchain technology can be the answer to this challenge, as it can record location proofs in a transparent, immutable and decentralized ledger, enabling applications to confirm physical presence without relying on trust alone.

A new verification approach

Recognizing the 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.

A visualization of the POL system. Source: SpacecoinMoreover, the PoL system is customizable, and users can 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.

Applications across key industries

PoL can improve operations in a wide range of industries. In cybersecurity, for example, it can add a geographic condition to access controls and limit access to sensitive systems or data to specific locations. Meanwhile, in finance, location-verified actions can serve as an added security factor for high-value transactions.

Logistics companies can also use the system to verify shipment handoffs or track high-value goods in real time. The system can bring 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

Toward a connected globe

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 (its live location is trackable on the Spacecoin website). 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.

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