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How Trip.com’s Stablecoin Move Changes Cross-Border Travel Payments

Paul Allen

30 Dec 2025 • 6 min read

Cross-border travel payments typically incur 2-4% currency conversion fees and multi-day processing times. Trip.com, a Shanghai-based online travel giant, began accepting the US dollar-pegged stablecoins USDT and USDC for prepaid flight and hotel bookings on its international platform in October 2025.

This is more than a payment option—it’s a system-level change reducing friction in overseas transactions while bypassing traditional banking rails. Stablecoins detach payments from slow legacy systems without sacrificing dollar stability.

“Payments that settle on blockchain reshape cross-border commerce by removing intermediaries and delays,” says the emerging fintech narrative.

Challenging The Currency Conversion Cost Model

Traditional wisdom treats currency conversions and payment delays as fixed transaction costs in international travel booking. That’s overly simplistic.

For example, many platforms rely on credit card networks or bank transfers that trigger fees and 1-3 day clearing. This entrenches dependence on legacy rails and inflates costs.

Dollar system dynamics and global payment flows do more than shape currency strength—they constrain cross-border consumer experiences.

Trip.com bypasses these constraints by directly accepting stablecoins on its platform. This repositions the constraint from payment rails to blockchain network speeds, which are vastly faster and cheaper per transaction.

Stablecoins as Infrastructure-Like Payment Rails

Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies, USDT and USDC maintain dollar pegs, enabling predictable purchasing power without traditional FX risk.

Where competitors like Expedia or Airbnb rely on credit card processors, Trip.com’s approach eliminates 2-4% foreign exchange fees and days-long processing.

This shifts costs drastically: from per-transaction fees to infrastructure and network gas costs, which are fractions of a percent. The credit card alternative typically adds $10-$20 on a $500 booking through hidden fees and FX spreads.

By integrating this payment system, Trip.com creates a leverage point — once users deploy stablecoin wallets, payment settlement happens instantaneously and automatically. This is **compounding leverage via infrastructure automation**.

Implications for Travel and Beyond

The critical constraint flipped from bank intermediaries to user crypto onboarding.

For Trip.com, the strategic move unlocks markets with digital-native travelers and regions with limited banking infrastructure but mature blockchain access.

This also pressures competitors to reconsider entrenched payment systems or lose fee-sensitive customers.

Network effects in platform payments and mass adoption mechanics will determine whether stablecoins displace legacy cross-border payment methods.

Regions like Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe stand to benefit first, given their mix of dollar reliance and blockchain adoption.

“Stablecoins convert complex currency exchanges into programmable, near-free flows that scale with user adoption, not transaction volume.” This principle is why this payment shift matters.

For businesses seeking to streamline their payment processes while eliminating high foreign exchange fees, tools like Bolt Business can significantly enhance the checkout experience. With a focus on fast and efficient payment processing, Bolt Business aligns perfectly with the innovations in cross-border payments highlighted in this article, enabling e-commerce platforms to thrive in a competitive landscape. Learn more about Bolt Business →

Full Transparency: Some links in this article are affiliate partnerships. If you find value in the tools we recommend and decide to try them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tools that align with the strategic thinking we share here. Think of it as supporting independent business analysis while discovering leverage in your own operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Trip.com’s acceptance of stablecoins affect cross-border travel payments?

By accepting USDT and USDC stablecoins, Trip.com eliminates the typical 2-4% currency conversion fees and multi-day processing delays, enabling faster and cheaper prepaid flight and hotel bookings on its international platform.

What are stablecoins and why are USDT and USDC important for travel payments?

Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies pegged to stable assets like the US dollar. USDT and USDC maintain dollar pegs, allowing predictable purchasing power without the volatility of other cryptocurrencies, reducing foreign exchange risk in cross-border payments.

How does using stablecoins compare to traditional payment methods like credit cards?

Traditional credit card payments for international travel often incur 2-4% foreign exchange fees and delays up to 3 days. Trip.com’s stablecoin payments reduce costs to network fees which are fractions of a percent, and settlement happens almost instantaneously.

What challenges remain for stablecoin payments in the travel industry?

User onboarding to crypto wallets remains the main constraint, shifting the bottleneck from banking intermediaries to consumer adoption of blockchain technology.

Which regions benefit most from Trip.com’s stablecoin payment model?

Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe stand to benefit first due to their mix of dollar reliance and mature blockchain adoption, unlocking markets with digital-native travelers and limited traditional banking infrastructure.

How does Trip.com’s stablecoin integration impact competitors like Expedia or Airbnb?

The move pressures competitors relying on credit card processors to reconsider entrenched payment systems or risk losing customers sensitive to foreign exchange fees and processing delays.

What is the strategic advantage for Trip.com in using stablecoins for payments?

Trip.com leverages infrastructure automation by enabling instant, programmable payment settlements with stablecoins, reducing costs and improving the customer experience for international bookings.

Yes, the article highlights Bolt Business as a tool that streamlines payment processing and reduces foreign exchange fees, complementing innovations like Trip.com’s stablecoin payment system.