Bitcoin News Today: Blue Origin accepts Bitcoin and stablecoins for spaceflights

Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos, has expanded its payment options to include cryptocurrencies and stablecoins for its New Shepard suborbital spaceflights. Through a partnership with Shift4 Payments, customers can now pay for tickets using Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), Solana (SOL), USDt (USDT), and USD Coin (USDC). The move allows direct payments from major crypto wallets such as MetaMask and Coinbase, offering a new financial pathway for those seeking to experience space travel [1].

The New Shepard has already transported over 75 passengers past the Kármán Line, the internationally recognized boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and space. Blue Origin’s adoption of crypto payments reflects a broader trend of blockchain experimentation in aerospace. In 2022, for example, the NFT project Azuki sent a digital character into space as part of a SpaceX/NASA mission. In 2020, the Spacechain project executed the first multisignature Bitcoin transaction from the International Space Station, demonstrating blockchain’s potential in space-based environments. More recently, in December 2024, Spacecoin XYZ launched a satellite to develop an orbital blockchain network, aiming to extend decentralized applications beyond Earth [1].

Shift4 Payments, which facilitates the crypto payments for Blue Origin, has expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. CEO Taylor Lauber stated the company is “thrilled” to extend its mission of revolutionizing commerce beyond Earth. Alex Wilson, Shift4’s head of crypto, noted that crypto and stablecoins are becoming increasingly popular for high-end purchases, signaling a shift in consumer behavior for premium experiences [1].

Blue Origin’s engagement with the crypto space is not new. In August 2024, the company hosted Justin Sun, founder of the blockchain platform Tron, on its NS-34 mission. Sun secured his seat through a 2021 auction for $28 million, and the ticket was later donated to 19 space-focused charities to encourage youth interest in STEAM fields. After the flight, Sun emphasized the need to protect Earth, highlighting the symbolic and practical links between space exploration and global responsibility [1].

The company’s valuation of $180 billion underscores its influence in both the aerospace and digital finance sectors. By integrating crypto into its ticketing system, Blue Origin is reinforcing its position at the intersection of space tourism and decentralized technologies. As space travel becomes more accessible and financial systems evolve, the convergence of these two industries is expected to drive further innovation and adoption [2].

Source:

[1] Space tourism meets crypto as Blue Origin accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDT (https://cointelegraph.com/news/space-tourism-meets-crypto-commerce-as-blue-origin-accepts-bitcoin-ethereum-and-usdt)

[2] Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos' $180 billion space company, has started accepting Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as payment for trips aboard its New Shepard rocket (https://coinpedia.org/crypto-live-news/)