Key Takeaways
- Blue Origin now accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, USDT, and USDC for spaceflight payments via Shift4.
- The integration offers global crypto holders fast international transactions for New Shepard trips.
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Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos’s aerospace company, will now accept crypto assets and stablecoins for commercial flights on its New Shepard rocket, the company announced Monday. The new payment option is powered by Shift4 Payments.
Customers can opt for crypto payments in Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, USDT, or USDC when purchasing flights that have taken more than 75 people past the Kármán Line, using popular wallets like Coinbase and MetaMask.
Justin Sun, founder of TRON, made history earlier this month as the youngest Chinese commercial astronaut to complete Blue Origin’s 14th human spaceflight, part of the New Shepard program.
Taylor Lauber, CEO of Shift4, said in a statement that the partnership with Blue Origin is part of the company’s mission to simplify transactions.
“We’re thrilled to now extend that vision beyond Earth,” Lauber stated, adding that the move will allow space travelers to book flights using their preferred payment methods, including crypto assets, in a seamless process.
The integration is also aimed at meeting growing consumer demand for easy and secure digital payment options. The companies said customers can use the new crypto payment option for any future New Shepard spaceflights.
“Crypto is now a $4 trillion asset class, and the sky is the limit when it comes to its potential in the current payments ecosystem,” said Alex Wilson, Head of Crypto at Shift4. “We believe crypto and stablecoins are going to become an increasingly popular way for consumers to pay, particularly for high-end purchases, as both the consumer and merchant benefit financially from these transactions.”
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