Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin launched the ability to pay for space travel with cryptocurrencies. Now tickets for suborbital flights can be purchased with Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, USDt, and USD Coin.
The space company has entered into an agreement with Shift4 Payments to accept payments in digital assets. Passengers can pay directly from popular wallets like MetaMask and Coinbase for tickets on the New Shepard ship.
Blue Origin has already sent over 75 passengers beyond the Kármán line—the internationally recognized boundary between Earth's atmosphere and outer space. Shift4 CEO Taylor Lauber stated that the company is "excited" about the opportunity to participate in this.
Alex Wilson, head of the cryptocurrency division at Shift4, noted that cryptocurrencies and stablecoins are likely to become a sought-after means of payment for expensive purchases.
From NFT collecting to blockchain infrastructure in space
Blockchain has already penetrated beyond the Earth's atmosphere in various forms. In 2022, the Azuki project attracted the attention of the NFT community by sending the character Bobu the Bean Farmer into space as part of the SpaceX/NASA mission. This became a symbolic merging of digital collectibles with the exploration of real frontiers.
Some projects go even further and build blockchain infrastructure in orbit. In 2020, Spacechain conducted the first multi-signature Bitcoin transaction with the International Space Station, demonstrating the feasibility of conducting fully extraterrestrial blockchain operations.
In December 2024, Spacecoin XYZ launched the first satellite for the development of an orbital blockchain network. The project aims to create a multi-layered blockchain system anchored in space to support future decentralized economies.
The founder of Tron’s $28 million trip
Blue Origin's connection to the cryptocurrency world is not new. On August 3, the company sent Justin San, the founder of the blockchain platform Tron, into space as part of mission NS-34.
San paid $28 million for a seat at the 2021 auction and joined five other passengers on the suborbital flight. This became one of the most notable intersections of blockchain and space tourism.
According to a statement from Blue Origin, the ticket price was donated to 19 charitable organizations related to space to inspire children to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.
Upon his return, San said: "The Earth is so small, and this is our home. We definitely must do everything possible to protect it."