Shift4 Payments Inc presented at the 2025 Susquehanna Get Carded Conference, focusing on its strategic integration with Global Blue, international expansion, and the development of an all-in-one payment terminal. The company discussed its 30% compound annual growth rate target, disciplined capital allocation, and planned mergers and acquisitions, including a small acquisition in Australia. The Global Blue acquisition, finalized on July 3, 2025, is expected to deliver synergies in the first quarter of the following year, with Jacques Stern now leading Shift4 International. Shift4 plans to integrate Tencent and Ant Group payment methods to enhance the experience for Asian consumers and improve cross-selling opportunities. The company emphasizes digitization of Global Blue’s paper-based processes to enable instant refunds and better consumer experiences. Shift4 is expanding into unified commerce and stadium operations through integration with ticketing platforms, aiming to improve revenue collection and streamline financial reconciliations. Management also discussed a CFO transition, with Chris Cruz taking over financial leadership.

Blue Origin has partnered with Shift4 Payments to allow customers to purchase New Shepard spaceflight tickets using cryptocurrencies and stablecoins including Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), Solana (SOL), USDT, and USDC. Payments can be made directly from wallets like MetaMask and Coinbase. The move follows a previous high-profile event where Tron founder Justin Sun paid $28 million for a seat on a Blue Origin suborbital flight in 2021, with the ticket proceeds donated to 19 space-focused charities. Additionally, blockchain has been integrated into space exploration through initiatives like Azuki's NFT character being sent to space via SpaceX/NASA, Spacechain's first multisignature Bitcoin transaction from the International Space Station in 2020, and Spacecoin XYZ launching a satellite in December 2024 to develop an orbital blockchain network. Meanwhile, telecom startup World Mobile is deploying a hydrogen-powered 5G network at 60,000 feet using drones, integrated with a decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) to provide low-latency, cost-effective connectivity over underserved regions.

Blue Origin, the space company founded by Jeff Bezos, has partnered with Shift4 Payments to allow customers to purchase space flight tickets using cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Tether (USDT), and USD Coin (USDC). The payment system, accessible via digital wallets like MetaMask and Coinbase Wallet, enables faster, more secure, and internationally accessible transactions, reducing bureaucratic hurdles and transaction times to an average of 2-3 minutes. Industry analysts note a 35% year-on-year growth in demand for space experiences paid with digital assets, with the integration marking a turning point in the monetization of the space economy. The move is seen as a response to growing interest from high-tech investors and digital innovators, and it aligns with broader trends in blockchain adoption in aerospace, which has grown by 40% over the past two years. The initiative also opens potential future use cases such as onboard blockchain transactions, NFTs, and decentralized services in space. Justin Sun, founder of Tron, is highlighted as an early adopter who paid over $28 million for a Blue Origin flight in 2021, symbolizing the convergence of crypto and space tourism.

Blue Origin, the spaceflight company founded by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has begun accepting cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, along with stablecoins like USDT and USDC, to purchase spaceflight tickets. The initiative is enabled through a partnership with payments company Shift4, which provides the underlying infrastructure for crypto transactions. Flights require a minimum deposit of $150,000, though the full trip cost is not yet disclosed. The move follows Blue Origin's previous auction of the first spaceflight seat in 2021, which was won by crypto billionaire Justin Sun, who completed the journey last week. Shift4, which processes over $260 billion globally in payments, has been expanding its crypto payment capabilities since October, enabling merchants to accept cryptocurrencies seamlessly. Shift4's co-founder Jared Isaacman is also involved in space exploration, having flown on a SpaceX mission and being briefly nominated by President Donald Trump to become NASA administrator.

Shift4 Payments and Blue Origin have partnered to enable customers to pay for space travel on Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket using cryptocurrencies and stablecoins such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, USDT, and USDC. The integration, powered by Shift4's payment technology, allows users to connect wallets like Coinbase and MetaMask for secure, instant transactions. The service is available immediately for upcoming commercial spaceflight bookings and aims to expand access to space travel by accommodating crypto holders globally. Both companies highlight the growing potential of crypto in high-value, international payments, with Shift4 emphasizing the financial benefits for both consumers and merchants.