TLDR
- Blue Origin now accepts Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, USDT, and USDC for space trips.
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Customers can use MetaMask and Coinbase wallets for payments.
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Blue Origin’s move follows demand for secure and easy crypto payments.
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Justin Sun’s $28M payment for a space trip did not use crypto, despite his involvement.
Blue Origin, the private spaceflight company founded by Jeff Bezos, has announced that it will begin accepting cryptocurrencies as payment for trips to space. Customers can now pay for tickets aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft using popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, USDT, and USDC. This marks a major shift in the company’s approach to payment methods, making space travel more accessible to cryptocurrency enthusiasts.
This new payment system is powered by Shift4 Payments, which will handle the cryptocurrency transactions. The move to accept digital currencies reflects a growing demand for alternative payment options that are both secure and easy to use. Customers will also be able to use widely adopted wallets such as MetaMask and Coinbase to facilitate their payments.
A Step Forward for Crypto Adoption in Space Travel
Blue Origin’s decision to accept crypto payments is a significant step forward for cryptocurrency adoption in industries outside of traditional finance.
By allowing customers to pay in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other popular digital currencies, Blue Origin is catering to the expanding crypto community. The company sees this as a way to provide greater convenience and security for customers booking their space trips.
$ASTS: Blue Origin just received authorization to begin ground testing of the 2nd launch of the New Glenn rocket.https://t.co/4clh6dxNQG pic.twitter.com/J1vBGLlzS8
— Justin 🅰️ (@jusbar23) August 11, 2025
The use of stablecoins, such as USDT and USDC, is particularly noteworthy. These cryptocurrencies, pegged to the value of traditional currencies like the U.S. dollar, offer price stability, making them an appealing payment method for customers concerned about the volatility of more traditional cryptocurrencies.
Crypto Payment Expansion by Blue Origin and Industry Growth
Blue Origin’s new payment method comes amidst a wider push to incorporate cryptocurrencies into more industries. Payment giant PayPal recently announced crypto payment options for merchants, and now Blue Origin has joined this trend by allowing space tourists to use digital currencies for booking their flights.
This shift could help attract a new demographic of crypto investors and enthusiasts who are looking for innovative ways to spend their assets.
SpaceX, Elon Musk’s space company, has not followed Blue Origin’s lead in accepting cryptocurrency as payment for flights. However, Musk’s company has kept Bitcoin as a reserve asset, making it one of the larger corporate holders of the digital currency. Unlike SpaceX, which simply holds Bitcoin as a reserve, Blue Origin is actively embracing crypto as a payment option, making this a unique development in the space industry.
Role of Crypto Payments in the Future of Space Travel
The introduction of cryptocurrency payments could play a key role in shaping the future of commercial space travel. As more companies in various industries adopt digital currencies, the space industry is positioning itself to become a part of this transformation.
Blue Origin’s initiative may serve as a model for other space companies to follow, offering a smoother, more efficient method of payment that is accessible to a wider range of consumers.
While Blue Origin’s decision to accept crypto payments is a first for Jeff Bezos’ company, it is important to note that the first high-profile cryptocurrency-backed spaceflight was made by Justin Sun, the founder of Tron, who paid $28 million for a seat aboard the New Shepard. However, unlike the new cryptocurrency payment option, Sun’s payment for his trip was made in traditional currency, not digital assets.
