Blue Origin accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, USDT, and USDC for space trips on New Shepard.

Blue Origin accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, USDT, and USDC for space trips on New Shepard.

Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos, has announced a significant milestone in its commercial spaceflight offerings. Effective immediately, the company will accept cryptocurrencies and stablecoins for bookings on its New Shepard rocket, marking a first in the space tourism industry.

Through a partnership with Shift4 Payments, Inc. (FOUR), customers can now use Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, USDT, and USDC to secure their seats on upcoming New Shepard missions. The integration supports popular digital wallets such as Coinbase and MetaMask, facilitating seamless transactions. This move extends Blue Origin’s mission to simplify the transaction process beyond Earth.

The New Shepard rocket has already transported over 75 passengers beyond the Kármán Line, the internationally recognized boundary of space at 100 kilometers altitude. The suborbital vehicle provides passengers with a unique experience, including views of Earth through large windows during flights.

Taylor Lauber, CEO of Shift4, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "Our mission has always been to revolutionize commerce by simplifying the transaction process, and we’re thrilled to now extend that vision beyond Earth." Alex Wilson, Head of Crypto at Shift4, noted that cryptocurrency represents a $4 trillion asset class, indicating its growing significance as a payment method.

The integration of cryptocurrencies allows Blue Origin to process international transactions more efficiently, with faster settlement in U.S. dollars. This innovation is particularly beneficial for high-end purchases, a market where cryptocurrencies and stablecoins are gaining traction.

Shift4 Payments processes billions of transactions annually for hundreds of thousands of businesses across various industries. With a strong gross profit margin of 31% and a proven track record of revenue growth, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on this expanding market opportunity.

Recent financial performance highlights include Shift4’s Q2 2025 earnings, which reported an earnings per share (EPS) of $1.10, slightly below forecasted expectations. However, the company achieved a notable revenue surprise, reporting $966.2 million compared to the forecast of $409.79 million. Goldman Sachs has reinstated coverage of Shift4 Payments with a Buy rating and a price target of $104.00, viewing it as a significant growth story.

Keefe, Bruyette & Woods (KBW) adjusted its price target for Shift4 Payments to $100 from $110, maintaining a Market Perform rating. Despite the price target reduction, KBW raised its earnings estimates for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 due to the Global Blue contribution. UBS also lowered its price target for the company to $115 from $125, while maintaining a Buy rating, following slightly below-expectation Q2 results for end-to-end payment volume.

This development underscores the mixed analyst sentiment and investor focus on Shift4’s growth trajectory and financial performance. Blue Origin’s acceptance of cryptocurrencies for space travel further solidifies its position at the forefront of innovation in both the aerospace and financial technology sectors.

References:
[1] https://www.investing.com/news/cryptocurrency-news/blue-origin-accepts-crypto-payments-for-new-shepard-spaceflights-432SI-4182780
[2] https://www.investing.com/news/company-news/shift4-and-blue-origin-enable-crypto-payments-for-space-flights-93CH-4182878