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CENTER VALLEY, Pa. & KENT, Wash. - Shift4 Payments, Inc. (NYSE:FOUR) and Blue Origin announced Monday they are partnering to allow customers to pay with cryptocurrencies and stablecoins for trips to space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket.
The new payment option, available immediately for upcoming commercial spaceflight bookings, enables customers to use Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, USDT and USDC for their space travel purchases. The system also allows connection with popular digital wallets including Coinbase and MetaMask.
According to the announcement, more than 75 people have already traveled past the Kármán Line, the internationally recognized boundary of space, aboard Blue Origin’s reusable New Shepard rocket.
"Our mission has always been to revolutionize commerce by simplifying the transaction process, and we’re thrilled to now extend that vision beyond Earth," said Taylor Lauber, CEO of Shift4, in the press release. According to InvestingPro data, the company maintains strong financial health with a current ratio of 2.53, indicating robust operational efficiency. However, the stock has seen a significant 20% decline over the past week, potentially presenting an attractive entry point as InvestingPro analysis suggests the stock is currently undervalued.
The companies indicated the integration will allow Blue Origin to access the growing market of cryptocurrency holders, support international transactions, and enable faster settlement in U.S. dollars at any time. Want deeper insights into Shift4’s financial health and growth potential? InvestingPro offers exclusive access to 12+ additional ProTips and comprehensive financial analysis, helping investors make more informed decisions.
Alex Wilson, Head of Crypto at Shift4, noted in the statement that "Crypto is now a $4 trillion asset class," adding that cryptocurrencies and stablecoins are becoming increasingly popular payment methods, particularly for high-end purchases.
The announcement comes as consumer demand for digital payment options continues to grow, according to the companies’ joint press release. With Shift4’s strong gross profit margin of 31% and proven track record of revenue growth, the company appears well-positioned to capitalize on this expanding market opportunity.
In other recent news, Shift4 Payments reported its Q2 2025 earnings, revealing an earnings per share (EPS) of $1.10, which was below the forecasted $1.22. However, the company achieved a notable revenue surprise, reporting $966.2 million compared to the forecast of $409.79 million. This revenue achievement comes amid Shift4’s acquisition of Global Blue, which was completed in early July. Goldman Sachs has reinstated coverage of Shift4 Payments with a Buy rating and a price target of $104.00, viewing it as a significant growth story in its coverage universe.
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods (KBW) adjusted its price target for Shift4 Payments to $100 from $110, maintaining a Market Perform rating. Despite the price target reduction, KBW raised its earnings estimates for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 due to the Global Blue contribution. UBS also lowered its price target for the company to $115 from $125, while maintaining a Buy rating, following slightly below-expectation Q2 results for end-to-end payment volume. Shift4 maintained its full-year guidance, indicating a slower growth rate in the second half of the year. These developments highlight the mixed analyst sentiment and investor focus on Shift4’s growth trajectory and financial performance.
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