On September 3, 2025, Webus International Limited (Webus) and Air China Limited (Air China) signed a strategic partnership, marking a significant step in the integration of digital currency payments and travel services. Through this collaboration, Webus' travel service brand, Wetour, will provide premium chauffeur services and airport transfers to Air China's PhoenixMiles members (over 60 million members worldwide), with plans to support XRP (Ripple) payments in the future. This move not only expands Wetour's global service network but also accelerates the development of a travel ecosystem centered on Ripple blockchain technology. Webus CEO Zheng Nan stated, "This partnership is expected to reach over 60 million members and passengers, expanding Wetour's global service reach and accelerating our vision of building an integrated Ripple travel ecosystem."
This collaboration is seen as a milestone in the application of cryptocurrency in the travel industry, although its direct market and blockchain impact remains subject to regulatory protocols. The introduction of XRP payments is expected to significantly enhance the membership experience for PhoenixMiles members by providing them with faster settlements, tokenized rewards, and blockchain-based coupons. However, regulatory compliance remains a key factor in implementation, and Webus and Air China have stated that the actual integration of XRP functionality is subject to regulatory approval.
Cooperation details: XRP payments cover 60 million travelers
Webus is a provider of AI-driven mobility solutions. Its Wetour brand offers global airport transfers, intercity transportation, private guides, and luxury car charters. This partnership with Air China expands Wetour's premium services to PhoenixMiles members, reaching over 60 million members and passengers worldwide. By integrating XRP payments, Wetour plans to provide members with a more efficient payment experience, including instant settlement, tokenized rewards, and blockchain-backed coupons. These features will be directly linked to member benefits, further strengthening user engagement.
According to Webus' announcement, XRP payment support will be implemented across its overseas platforms, aiming to eliminate traditional payment friction, provide instant settlement for drivers and service providers, and enable fast refunds for travelers. Webus previously announced plans to raise up to $300 million in non-equity funding, establish an XRP reserve to support global payment solutions, and partner with leading Chinese online travel platforms such as Tongcheng Travel Holdings. The Air China partnership further strengthens Webus's position in the Chinese market while providing significant support for its global expansion.
Webus CEO Zheng Nan emphasized that the introduction of XRP not only improves payment efficiency but also brings the potential for Web3 innovation to the travel industry. He stated, "Through this partnership with Air China, we will seamlessly connect one of the world's largest airline loyalty programs with next-generation Web3 travel solutions." This strategy demonstrates Webus's active exploration of the practical application of blockchain technology in travel payments, aiming to integrate traditional travel services with digital finance.
Regulatory Compliance: Key Challenges in Implementing XRP Payments
Despite the enormous potential of XRP payments, their practical implementation faces significant regulatory scrutiny. Webus and Air China's announcements explicitly stated that the rollout of XRP payments will be subject to regulatory compliance, including anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) regulations. Due to the immaturity of global regulatory frameworks for cryptocurrencies, particularly in China and international markets, the rollout of XRP payments may face delays.
Webus's previous collaboration with Tongcheng Travel also emphasized the importance of regulatory compliance. Webus plans to use the XRP Ledger to settle cross-border rides and driver wages, but must ensure compliance with relevant regulations. The Air China partnership faces similar challenges, with Webus stating that the implementation of XRP payments will be "subject to future business development and regulatory compliance." This cautious approach reflects the practical considerations of businesses regarding cryptocurrency adoption, particularly in markets like China, where digital asset regulation is stringent.
Cryptocurrency adoption in the travel industry is already a global phenomenon. For example, AirAsia and KLM have previously experimented with cryptocurrency platforms, but these partnerships resulted in only minor fluctuations in XRP prices and failed to generate significant market impact. This highlights the importance of widespread user adoption in driving cryptocurrency market growth. If successfully implemented, the collaboration between Webus and Air China could set a benchmark for the industry, but regulatory uncertainty remains a significant obstacle.
XRP Market Dynamics: Volatility and Speculation
XRP, the core digital asset of this collaboration, has attracted significant attention for its market performance. As of September 4, 2025, the price of XRP was $2.84, with a market capitalization of approximately $169.21 billion. Over the past 24 hours, XRP's price fell 2.02%, bringing its seven-day decline to 4.71%, but it has risen 35.79% over the past 90 days. These figures reflect the volatility and speculative nature of the XRP market. Despite recent poor price performance, XRP's long-term trend demonstrates growing institutional interest, as exemplified by Webus's planned $300 million XRP reserve and VivoPower International's $121 million XRP reserve.
Webus's XRP strategy is part of its broader blockchain integration plan. In May 2025, Webus announced a non-equity financing round to raise up to $300 million in XRP reserves to support global payment solutions and develop blockchain infrastructure, including a crypto wallet, Web3 loyalty tokens, and on-chain booking records. In June 2025, Webus further signed an agreement with SEC-registered investment advisor Samara Alpha, authorizing it to manage a digital asset reserve of up to $300 million, focusing on XRP. These initiatives demonstrate Webus's commitment to promoting XRP's adoption in travel payments through institutional-grade infrastructure.
However, XRP's price reaction to the partnership was muted. Following the announcement of the Webus and Air China partnership, XRP's price saw no significant price increase, likely due to market caution regarding regulatory uncertainty and implementation timelines. XRP is currently trading below the 20-day Bollinger Band's middle line ($2.37), with the Relative Strength Index (RSI) dropping to 40.72, indicating weakening bullish momentum. Support lies at $2.18 and $2.12, with further declines potentially leading to a retest of the psychologically significant $2.00 level.
Industry Impact: Digital Currency Drives Innovation in the Tourism Industry
Webus's partnership with Air China is not only an innovative venture in travel payments but also reflects the growing importance of cryptocurrencies in the global financial system. XRP's fast and low-cost cross-border payments make it an ideal choice for the travel industry, especially for its 60 million members worldwide. Webus plans to use the XRP Ledger to enable real-time fare settlement and driver refunds, providing a seamless experience for travelers while strengthening member loyalty through tokenized rewards.
This collaboration could also promote the integration of airline loyalty programs with Web3 solutions. Webus plans to offer blockchain-based coupons and tokenized rewards to PhoenixMiles members. These features could be extended to Air China's partner network, creating value for the broader ecosystem. Analysts point out that if Webus and Air China successfully implement XRP payments, it could inspire other airlines and travel platforms to explore similar solutions, driving the industry's digital transformation.
Furthermore, Webus's XRP strategy aligns with the global trend toward blockchain payments. In August 2025, Linklogis, a leading Chinese supply chain fintech company, announced the integration of its trillion-dollar supply chain finance platform with the XRP Ledger for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, global payments, and trade finance. This trend demonstrates XRP's transformation from a fringe cryptographic tool to a core component of global financial infrastructure.
The partnership between Webus and Air China marks a breakthrough in digital currency payments for the travel industry. By integrating XRP payments, Webus and Air China aim to provide a more efficient and innovative travel experience for 60 million PhoenixMiles members. However, regulatory compliance remains a key implementation challenge, and the volatility and speculative nature of the XRP market cast a shadow of uncertainty over the future of this partnership.
Nevertheless, Webus's strategic deployment—from its $300 million XRP reserve to its partnership with Air China—demonstrates its unwavering confidence in blockchain technology. XRP's fast settlement and low costs offer immense potential for travel payments, while tokenized rewards and Web3 solutions open up new avenues for industry innovation. As global regulatory frameworks evolve, the collaboration between Webus and Air China could become a pioneer in the digital currency-driven transformation of the travel industry, worthy of continued attention.
