Bitcoin News Today: Blue Origin Lets Customers Pay for Spaceflights With Crypto and Stablecoins Via Shift4 Partnership

Blue Origin has taken a significant step in the evolution of high-end commerce by enabling customers to pay for its suborbital spaceflights using cryptocurrencies and stablecoins. This new payment method, launched on August 1, 2025, is the result of a partnership with Shift4, a leading payments technology firm. Through this collaboration, customers can now use Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and stablecoins such as USD Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) to book flights aboard the New Shepard rocket. Transactions can be made directly from supported wallets like MetaMask and Coinbase [1].

The partnership reflects a strategic effort to integrate blockchain-based finance into the commercial space industry. Alex Wilson, head of crypto at Shift4, emphasized that the initiative aligns with the company’s goal to “revolutionize commerce beyond Earth,” noting that space tourism is a natural extension for crypto as a premium payment method [1]. Blue Origin has already sent over 75 passengers past the Kármán Line, the boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space [2].

This move is part of a broader trend of blockchain technology influencing aerospace innovation. In 2022, a notable event saw an NFT character named “Bobu the Bean Farmer” sent to space during a SpaceX/NASA mission, signaling the cultural intersection of digital assets and space exploration. In 2020, the Spacechain project executed the first multisignature Bitcoin transaction from the International Space Station, and in late 2024, Spacecoin XYZ launched a satellite to begin developing an orbital blockchain network [2]. These developments indicate that the application of blockchain in space is both cultural and technical.

The integration of crypto payments by Blue Origin is not its first involvement with the cryptocurrency industry. In August 2023, Justin Sun, founder of the blockchain platform Tron, flew aboard a Blue Origin mission and donated his $28 million ticket to 19 space-focused charities. His flight was part of a larger initiative to promote STEAM education among young people [2].

By offering crypto as a payment option, Blue Origin is addressing the preferences of a growing segment of high-net-worth individuals who are increasingly comfortable using digital assets for major purchases. This approach also highlights a broader shift in consumer behavior, particularly among those who view crypto as a store of value and a medium of exchange. Shift4’s role in the partnership positions it to benefit from the intersection of space commerce and decentralized finance [6].

The launch of this new payment system comes at a time when other blockchain-related aerospace projects are gaining momentum. These include initiatives to deploy stratospheric connectivity using high-altitude drones and the development of satellite-based decentralized applications. Although the convergence of blockchain and aerospace is still in its early stages, Blue Origin’s move suggests that crypto is gaining acceptance in industries that have traditionally relied on conventional financial systems [2].

The minimum deposit required for a Blue Origin space flight is $150,000, with total costs varying depending on the itinerary. The ability to pay with cryptocurrencies and stablecoins adds a layer of flexibility for customers who prefer to liquidate or allocate digital assets for high-value experiences [1]. Shift4’s infrastructure, which processes over $260 billion in transactions globally, provides a secure and scalable platform for these high-end purchases [1].

This development marks a pivotal moment in the commercialization of space travel and the adoption of digital currencies in mainstream commerce. As the crypto ecosystem continues to evolve, partnerships like the one between Blue Origin and Shift4 are likely to play a key role in shaping the future of how premium goods and services are bought and paid for [1].

Source: [1] Blue Origin Spaceflights Aboard New Shepard Can Now ... (https://investors.shift4.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/273/blue-origin-spaceflights-aboard-new-shepard-can-now-be-purchased-with-crypto-and-stablecoins-through-shift4)

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

[6] Shift4 Payments Inc (FOUR) Partners with Blue Origin to ... (https://www.gurufocus.com/news/3052913/shift4-payments-inc-four-partners-with-blue-origin-to-enable-cryptocurrency-payments-for-space-travel-four-stock-news)