Popular travel website Airbnb could soon accept cryptocurrencies for payments, CEO Brian Chesky has hinted. “Like the revolution in travel, there is clearly a revolution happening in crypto,” he added.
Airbnb CEO Says “Clearly There Is A Revolution Underway In Crypto”
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky asked on Twitter earlier this week: “If Airbnb could launch something in 2022, what would it be?
On Tuesday, he revealed that he received 4,000 suggestions, noting that the most popular one is for his company to accept crypto payments. He added, “Our existing payments volume = $336 billion processed since 2013,” noting:
Crypto payments include a variety of token ideas.
Other top suggestions include clear pricing displays, a guest loyalty program, updated cleaning fees, more long-term stays and discounts, better customer service, and “commercial spaces (kitchens, co-working).” While specifically confirming that Airbnb is looking into commercial spaces, the CEO noted:
Working on most already, will review the others now.
Airbnb operates an online marketplace in the travel industry. According to its website, there are currently more than 5.6 million listings worldwide. Since its launch in 2007, Airbnb has served more than 1 billion customers and more than 4 million hosts have listed their properties on the platform.
The payment options currently offered by Airbnb in most countries are Visa, Mastercard, Amex, JCB, and “debit cards that can be treated like credit cards”. Apple Pay, Google Pay and Paypal are also accepted. Cryptocurrency is currently not a payment option on Airbnb.
Chesky was asked in November last year whether Airbnb is considering accepting cryptocurrency. He replied:
We are certainly looking at it. Absoutely. Like the travel revolution, there is clearly a revolution happening in crypto.
Noting that “The founder of Coinbase was an early employee of ours,” Chesky revealed, “We have been following the space for quite a long time.”
The executive added, “The key is when ordinary people understand how new technology has improved their lives, beyond the initial enthusiasm. I am really excited about some apps that ordinary people could use to live better everyday.
