Senate Approves Bill Elevating Artemis With Billions in New Funding Amid Industry Dispute

Senate Endorses Enhanced Artemis Funding

The U.S. Senate recently passed President Trump’s budget reconciliation bill, allocating an additional $10 billion to NASA’s flagship Artemis program. This decisive move reinforces the commitment to legacy aerospace systems, including supplemental funding for the Space Launch System (SLS) rockets and the lunar Gateway station, a critical component for sustained lunar operations.

Industry Debate Over Technology and Investment

Critics of the program, notably SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, have long challenged the cost-efficiency of the SLS—a one-time-use launch vehicle costing billions per mission compared to SpaceX’s reusable fleet. Musk has consistently argued that launching a billion-dollar rocket for single-use operations is unsustainable. With recent reports from NASA’s oversight bodies suggesting production costs may approach $2.5 billion per rocket, these concerns underscore the ongoing debates over technological strategy in space exploration.

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Political and Corporate Showdown

The approval of the funding package not only provides a boost to traditional aerospace firms such as Boeing, L3Harris’ Aerojet Rocketdyne, and Northrop Grumman but also sets the stage for further political and corporate friction. Isaacman, during his Senate confirmation hearings, questioned the long-term viability of the SLS despite endorsing its use for the upcoming Artemis missions. This skepticism resonates amid the broader tension following the abrupt dismissal of Isaacman’s nomination, hinting at deeper divides within the space industry leadership and political spheres.

Strategic Budgetary Commitments

The bill details significant allocations, with approximately $4.1 billion earmarked for additional SLS rockets to support Artemis missions 4 and 5 and $2.6 billion aimed at finalizing the construction of the Gateway station. Furthermore, the funding package extends to include $700 million for a Mars Telecommunications Orbiter, $1.25 billion to support the International Space Station’s operations, and $325 million to incentivize SpaceX’s development of a dedicated de-orbit spacecraft for the ISS—a contract that totals $843 million.

Looking Forward

Despite the fiscal proposals in the president’s earlier budget, which envisioned phasing out the SLS and Orion spacecraft after Artemis III, Congress has opted to sustain heavy investments in these legacy systems. As the space industry continues to balance innovation with established practices, the unfolding scenario hints at a prolonged rivalry between proponents of reusable technology and advocates for proven, albeit costlier, aerospace solutions. The ongoing debate is poised to influence not only technological trajectories but also the broader framework of U.S. space policy in the years ahead.

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Cyprus Introduces 8% Crypto Tax As European Rules Diverge

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

June 16, 2026

Fragmented Crypto Tax Rules Across Europe

Although the European Union has introduced a common regulatory framework for digital assets through the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA), taxation remains under the jurisdiction of individual member states. As a result, crypto investors face a wide range of tax regimes across Europe.

Cyprus Introduces Dedicated Crypto Tax Framework

Beginning January 1, 2026, Cyprus will implement a dedicated taxation regime for digital assets. The new framework imposes an 8% flat tax on net gains from cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, making it one of the lowest rates within the European Union. Taxable events will include the sale, exchange, or use of cryptocurrencies for payments and donations. Losses will only be offset against gains generated from crypto transactions within the same tax year, with no provision allowing losses to be carried forward.

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Diverging Approaches Across Europe

Several European countries have adopted markedly different policies. Greece is preparing legislation that would introduce a 15% capital gains tax on cryptocurrency profits, with the first €500 of gains exempt from taxation. Germany classifies cryptocurrencies as private assets. Gains are generally exempt from tax if the assets have been held for more than one year, distinguishing the country from many other European jurisdictions.

Other Key Jurisdictions

Portugal continues to offer favorable conditions for long-term investors, with private individuals generally exempt from taxation if digital assets are held for more than 12 months. Switzerland treats cryptocurrencies as part of personal wealth, subject to annual cantonal wealth taxes, while capital gains realized by individual investors are typically exempt. France applies a flat tax of 31.4% on cryptocurrency gains, combining income tax and social contributions. Italy recently increased the tax rate on crypto gains for individuals to 33%, up from 26%, while Spain applies progressive rates ranging from 19% to 30%, depending on the amount of profit realized.

The Netherlands And The Baltic States

The Netherlands uses a different model, taxing presumed returns on assets regardless of whether they have actually been sold. Tax treatment in the Baltic region varies. Lithuania generally imposes a 15% rate, rising to 20% for very high non-salary income. Latvia applies a 25.5% capital gains tax, while Estonia taxes cryptocurrency gains at the standard personal income tax rate of 22%, without exemptions for long-term holdings.

A Diverse Tax Landscape

Approaches to cryptocurrency taxation continue to differ significantly across Europe. Cyprus’ upcoming framework places the country among jurisdictions offering relatively low rates and dedicated rules for digital assets, while investors operating across borders continue to navigate a patchwork of national tax regimes.

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