Virgin Galactic accepts Bitcoins as payment for space flights Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Virgin Galactic customers will now we able to pay for flights to space with Bitcoins, company founder Richard Branson announced in a blog post. Virgin Galactic is one of the universe's most exciting, futuristic companies. Bitcoin, the virtual currency, has really captured the imagination recently as one of the world's most innovative businesses looking to the future. So we think it is about time Virgin Galactic customers can choose to pay with bitcoins. One future astronaut, a female flight attendant from Hawaii, has already purchased her Virgin Galactic ticket using bitcoins, and we expect many more to follow in her footsteps. All of our future astronauts are pioneers in their own right, and this is one more way to be forward-thinking. The company is expected to launch its space flights next year, with seats costing as much as $250,000. I have invested in some bitcoins myself, and find it fascinating how a whole new global currency has been created. For people who can afford to invest a little in bitcoins, it's worth looking into," Branson wrote. Bitcoin is a cybercurrency that is facing increasing scrutiny after 26,000 Bitcoins were seized during the shut down of the Silk Road online drug marketplace. "The days of carrying cash and coins could soon be over," Branson wrote. Sometime in the future, innovative payment models such as Square, Clinkle and Bitcoin will become serious challengers to traditional banks, which will spur more competition and give customers even more options. Virgin