On September 3, 2025, Webus International Limited (hereinafter referred to as Webus) signed a strategic partnership with Air China, marking an important step in the integration of digital currency payments and travel services. Through this collaboration, Webus's travel service brand Wetour will provide high-end driver services and airport transfers for Air China's Phoenix Miles members (over 60 million members globally) and plans to support XRP payments in the future. This initiative not only expands Wetour's global service network but also accelerates the construction of a travel ecosystem centered around Ripple blockchain technology. Webus CEO Zheng Nan stated, "This partnership is expected to cover over 60 million members and passengers, not only expanding Wetour's global service range but also accelerating our vision of building an integrated Ripple travel ecosystem."
This collaboration is seen as a milestone for the application of cryptocurrency in the travel industry, although its direct market and blockchain impact are still constrained by regulatory agreements. The introduction of XRP payments is expected to bring faster settlement speeds, tokenized rewards, and blockchain-based coupons to Phoenix Miles members, significantly enhancing the member experience. However, regulatory compliance remains a key factor for implementation, and both Webus and Air China have made it clear that the actual integration of XRP functionality requires approval from regulatory authorities.
Partnership Details: XRP Payments Covering 60 Million Travelers
Webus is a provider focused on AI-driven mobile solutions, with its Wetour brand offering global airport transfers, intercity transportation, private tours, and luxury charter services. This collaboration with Air China will extend Wetour's high-end services to Phoenix Miles members, covering 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-supported coupons. These features will be directly linked to member benefits, further enhancing user loyalty.
According to Webus's announcement, XRP payment support will be realized through its overseas platform, aiming to eliminate the friction of traditional payments, providing instant settlement for drivers and service providers, while offering quick refunds for travelers. Webus had previously announced plans to raise up to $300 million through non-equity financing to establish an XRP reserve to support global payment solutions and collaborate with leading Chinese online travel platforms such as Tongcheng Travel Holdings. The partnership with Air China further solidifies 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 enhances payment efficiency but also brings the potential for Web3 innovation to the travel industry. He stated, "Through our collaboration with Air China, we will connect with one of the largest airline loyalty programs in the world, seamlessly integrating with next-generation Web3 travel solutions." This strategy indicates that Webus is actively exploring the practical application of blockchain technology in travel payments, attempting to combine traditional travel services with digital finance.
Regulatory Compliance: Key Challenges in Implementing XRP Payments
Despite the significant potential of XRP payments, their actual implementation faces strict regulatory scrutiny. Webus and Air China have clearly stated in their announcement that the launch of XRP payment functionality must comply with regulatory requirements, including anti-money laundering (AML) and know your customer (KYC) regulations. As the global regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies is not yet fully mature, especially in China and international markets, the promotion of XRP payments may face delays.
Webus's previous collaboration with Tongcheng Travel also highlighted the importance of regulatory compliance. Webus plans to achieve cross-border ride and driver compensation settlements through the XRP Ledger but must ensure compliance with relevant regulations. The partnership with Air China faces similar challenges, and Webus has stated that the implementation of XRP payments will "depend on future business development and regulatory compliance." This cautious approach reflects the practical considerations of enterprises in the application of cryptocurrencies, especially in a market like China with strict regulations on digital assets.
Globally, there have been precedents for the adoption of cryptocurrencies in the travel industry. For example, AirAsia and KLM have attempted to collaborate with cryptocurrency platforms, but these partnerships only resulted in slight fluctuations in XRP prices without significant market impact. This highlights the importance of widespread user adoption in driving the growth of the cryptocurrency market. If the collaboration between Webus and Air China can be successfully implemented, it may set a benchmark for the industry, but regulatory uncertainty remains the biggest obstacle.
XRP Market Dynamics: Volatility and Speculation Coexist
As the core digital asset of this collaboration, XRP's market performance is under close scrutiny. As of September 4, 2025, the price of XRP is $2.84, with a market capitalization of approximately $169.21 billion. In the past 24 hours, the price of XRP has dropped by 2.02%, with a seven-day decline of 4.71%, but it has increased by 35.79% over the past 90 days. These figures reflect the volatility and speculative nature of the XRP market. Despite recent poor price performance, the long-term trend for XRP shows growing institutional interest, such as Webus's planned $300 million XRP reserve and VivoPower International's $121 million XRP reserve plan.
Webus's XRP strategy is part of its broader blockchain integration plan. In May 2025, Webus announced plans to raise up to $300 million through non-equity financing to establish an XRP reserve to support global payment solutions and develop blockchain infrastructure, including cryptocurrency wallets, Web3 loyalty tokens, and on-chain booking records. In June 2025, Webus further signed an agreement with SEC-registered investment advisor Samara Alpha to manage up to $300 million in digital asset reserves, focusing on XRP management. These initiatives indicate that Webus is driving the application of XRP in travel payments through institutional-grade infrastructure.
However, the price of XRP reacted rather mildly to this collaboration. After the announcement of the partnership between Webus and Air China, there was no significant increase in XRP prices, as the market seems to be cautious about regulatory uncertainty and the implementation timeline. The current price of XRP is below the 20-day Bollinger Band midline ($2.37), with the relative strength index (RSI) dropping to 40.72, indicating weakened bullish momentum. Support levels are at $2.18 and $2.12, and if it falls further, it may retest the psychological level of $2.00.
Industry Impact: Digital Currency Driving Innovation in the Travel Industry
The collaboration between Webus and Air China is not only an innovative attempt in the field of travel payments but also reflects the growing importance of cryptocurrencies in the global financial system. The fast and low-cost cross-border payment characteristics of XRP make it an ideal choice for the travel industry, especially in scenarios involving over 60 million members globally. Webus plans to achieve real-time fare settlements and driver refunds through the XRP Ledger, providing travelers with a seamless experience while enhancing member loyalty through tokenized rewards.
This collaboration may also promote the integration of airline loyalty programs with Web3 solutions. Webus plans to provide Phoenix Miles members with blockchain-based coupons and tokenized rewards, which may extend to Air China's partner network, creating broader ecosystem value. Analysts point out that if Webus and Air China successfully implement XRP payments, it may encourage other airlines and travel platforms to explore similar solutions, driving the industry towards digital transformation.
Additionally, Webus's XRP strategy resonates with global trends in blockchain payments. In August 2025, Linklogis, a leading supply chain fintech company in China, announced the integration of its trillion-dollar supply chain finance platform with the XRP Ledger for the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA), global payments, and trade financing. This trend indicates that XRP is transitioning from a cryptocurrency fringe tool to a core component of global financial infrastructure.
The collaboration between Webus and Air China marks a breakthrough in digital currency payments in the travel industry. By integrating XRP payments, Webus and Air China are expected to provide more efficient and innovative travel experiences for 60 million Phoenix Miles members. However, regulatory compliance remains a key challenge for implementation, and the volatility and speculation of the XRP market also cast a layer of uncertainty over the prospects of the collaboration.
Nevertheless, Webus's strategic layout—from the $300 million XRP reserve to the partnership with Air China—demonstrates its firm confidence in blockchain technology. The rapid settlement and low-cost characteristics of XRP present tremendous potential for travel payments, while tokenized rewards and Web3 solutions open new pathways for industry innovation. As the global regulatory framework gradually improves, the collaboration between Webus and Air China may become a pioneer in the transformation of the travel industry driven by digital currency, warranting continued attention.
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