Nasdaq (NDAQ) is positioning itself as a major technology innovator in the space economy, following its transition from paper-based to electronic age in 1971. Jeff Thomas, Executive Vice President, Chief Revenue Officer and Global Head of Listings, at Nasdaq, believes that space is the next trillion-dollar market and will serve as an enabler for advanced technology fields such as satellite-based connectivity and defense. Space Capital, a venture capital firm with $1 billion assets under management (AUM) investing at the intersection of space technology and global markets, reports on the growth of this market quarterly. The 2026 Space IQ report noted that a record $36B was invested in Q1 across 148 companies, breaking the previous quarterly record. The report also noted that infrastructure investment alone reached $6.7 billion, on pace to exceed the annual record set last year.