Blue Origin opens crypto checkout for new Shepherd spaceflight via Shift4

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Blue Origin accepts cryptocurrency and Stablecoin payments for new Shepard sub-orbit flights through new integration with Shift4.

Shift4 brings Crypto payments to space tourism in Blue Origin

Starting today, customers can reserve seats using Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (Sol), Tether (USDT), and USDC. This is Shift4 handles the transaction, according to a company’s press release. Shift4 also says that customers can also connect wallets such as Coinbase wallets and MetaMasks for direct payments.

According to the announcement, this option will be available immediately to book commercial space flights with New Shepard. The rollout targets travelers who prefer digital payments and adds another way to purchase suborbital trips associated with Blue Origin’s tourism program. The company said the option is part of a push to expand payment options for high purchases for international customers.

Shift4 said the integration is designed to use payment infrastructure, with immediate international transactions and faster settlements in the US dollar at any time. The company added that the feature extends existing networks and technology to additional use cases in travel and experience. Geekwire.com first reported on Blue Origin, which accepts digital currency payments, after reporting on Tron founder Justin Sun’s spaceflight.

According to Shift4’s release on Monday, Blue Origin’s new reusable shepherds flew over 75 people past the Kármán line, the internationally recognized universe boundary. The program has a small research payload in addition to passengers, and returns both boosters and capsules for reuse.

Shift4 says future flyers can learn more about the booking process on the Blue Origin website, with the company handling Crypto and Stablecoin checkouts. The company did not disclose pricing or timelines for the next crew flight as part of this payment renewal.

Blue Origin isn’t just catering to space travelers who want to pay with crypto. Virgin Galactic has been accepting Bitcoin since 2013, and in that year it received its first BTC payment from a Hawaiian flight attendant. Virgin Galactic has completed a total of 12 spaceflights so far, with the latest mission known as “Galactic 07”.