Blue Origin accepts BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC, and SOL for New Shepard flights via Shift4 and Coinbase/MetaMask.

Blue Origin accepts BTC, ETH, USDT, USDC, and SOL for New Shepard flights via Shift4 and Coinbase/MetaMask.

Blue Origin, a space exploration company founded by Jeff Bezos, has announced a new payment option for its commercial spaceflights aboard the New Shepard vehicle. Through a partnership with Shift4 Payments, Inc. (FOUR), Blue Origin now accepts cryptocurrencies and stablecoins for bookings. The supported cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), USDT, and USDC. Customers can connect their wallets through platforms like Coinbase and MetaMask to facilitate these transactions [1].

The integration of cryptocurrency payments aims to simplify the transaction process and expand access to space travel. Taylor Lauber, CEO of Shift4, stated, "Our mission has always been to revolutionize commerce by simplifying the transaction process, and we’re thrilled to now extend that vision beyond Earth" [1].

This development allows Blue Origin to process international transactions with faster settlement in U.S. dollars, a significant advantage in the global market. Alex Wilson, Head of Crypto at Shift4, highlighted the potential of cryptocurrency, noting that it represents a $4 trillion asset class [1].

Shift4 processes billions of transactions annually for hundreds of thousands of businesses across multiple industries, providing integrated payments and commerce technology solutions. The company's expertise in processing cryptocurrency transactions aligns with Blue Origin's goal of innovating space travel experiences [1].

Blue Origin's New Shepard has transported more than 75 passengers beyond the Kármán Line, offering views of Earth through large windows during flights. The addition of cryptocurrency payments further enhances the customer experience by providing a modern, secure, and efficient payment method [1].

References:
[1] https://www.investing.com/news/cryptocurrency-news/blue-origin-accepts-crypto-payments-for-new-shepard-spaceflights-432SI-4182780