Blue Origin, the space exploration venture established by Jeff Bezos, has recently announced a partnership with Shift4 Payments, enabling the acceptance of cryptocurrency and stablecoin transactions for its suborbital flights aboard the New Shepard. This strategic collaboration marks a significant step in integrating digital currencies into high-value purchases, allowing customers to buy tickets using notable cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, alongside stablecoins such as Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC).
The integration of these payment options is powered by Shift4’s advanced transaction processing infrastructure, reflecting a broader trend in commerce. Alex Wilson, Shift4’s head of crypto, expressed confidence in the growing prominence of digital assets, underscoring that the cryptocurrency market is valued at approximately AU$6.1 trillion. He believes that crypto and stablecoin payments will increasingly appeal to consumers, particularly for premium purchases, due to the financial advantages they offer to both buyers and merchants.
“Consumers and merchants will benefit financially from these transactions,” said Wilson, highlighting the potential for cryptocurrencies in the high-value market space.
For those looking to embark on a Blue Origin flight, a minimum deposit of US$150,000 (around AU$229,000) is required. While complete pricing remains undisclosed, the company previously auctioned its first seat in 2021 to Tron founder Justin Sun for an astonishing US$28 million (AU$42 million), and Sun successfully completed his flight last week.
Shift4 has rolled out global support for cryptocurrency payments since October 2025, allowing merchants to accept various digital assets directly. Following this advancement, Shift4’s shares, trading under the symbol FOUR, closed at US$86.98 (AU$131), marking a 4.82% increase for the day, despite reporting a year-to-date decline of over 20%.
Co-founder Jared Isaacman, who has a notable background in space exploration, previously flew with SpaceX and was briefly nominated by Donald Trump to head NASA, showcasing his interest and involvement in the space sector.
This partnership represents a bold move towards changing the landscape of how major purchases are facilitated, reflecting a growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies within traditional industries. As digital currencies gain traction, they could become a significant mode of payment, particularly for luxury and high-value items like space travel.
