Crypto-native travel agency launches Solana-based tokens and rewards
Travala, a cryptocurrency-based online travel ticketing service, has expanded its crypto payment options to support major tokens running on the Solana blockchain.
On September 21, Travala CEO Juan Otero announced the integration with Solana, the layer-1 blockchain ecosystem at the Solana Breakpoint conference in Singapore.
The partnership will allow travelers to book hotels and flights using Solana's native token Solana (SOL) and major stablecoin Tether (USDT) and USD Coin (USDC) on the Solana blockchain.
Source: Solana
The Solana blockchain is a direct competitor to Ethereum, focusing on fast and cheap execution of smart contracts and decentralized applications (DApps).
Travala enables direct SOL deposits and withdrawals
While Travala has a history of accepting payments in Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (including ETH), the Solana integration allows users to deposit and withdraw the supported tokens directly on Travala accounts.
Crypto investors and fans at X are excited about the partnership, hoping for a seamless travel booking experience.
Travala will introduce SOL Travel Rewards in the near future.
Related: Powerledger integrates with Solana mainnet ecosystem
Solana wraps Coinbase and attracts Bitcoin supply
Crypto exchange Coinbase is playing on the Solana blockchain, as it has revealed plans to introduce Coinbase's new “cbBTC”-capable bitcoin asset to the Solana network. While the exact launch date has not been revealed, Hasan Ahmed, Singapore Country Director of Coinbase;
“We recently released cbBTC on the base, but our users love Solana, and so do we. So we're excited to announce that we're bringing native cbBTC to Solana.”
Secured Bitcoin products allow users to retain control of assets while using Bitcoin as collateral for decentralized financial applications.
Source: Solana
Solana's packaged bitcoin asset cbBTC was first launched on the Ethereum and Base networks.
Coinbase stated that cbBTC is backed at a 1:1 ratio, with Bitcoin held by a central exchange, and there are no separate order books or trading pairs for cbBTC on the Coinbase platform.
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