On September 3, 2025, Webus International, listed on NASDAQ, announced a strategic partnership with Air China to introduce XRP payments on its high-end travel brand Wetour's overseas platform, serving over 60 million Phoenix Zhi Yin members. Although the application scenario is strictly limited to outside of China, this move has sparked heated discussions in the aviation and crypto world, and is seen as a landmark case of a large Chinese state-owned enterprise cautiously “testing the waters” in the overseas crypto economy.
Cooperation Details: Overseas Exclusive XRP Payment Pilot
According to the announcement, Wetour will provide high-end cars and airport transfer services for Air China members, and plans to support payments in XRP and RLUSD on overseas platforms.
Implementing entity: Promoted by Webus, not directly collecting crypto assets by Air China.
Application Scope: Limited to regions outside of China and permitted by regulations
Time node: belongs to the “looking to the future” plan, not an immediate implementation.
Compliance Prerequisite: Subject to subsequent business development and regulatory approval.
Webus CEO Zheng Nan stated that the goal is to build a travel ecosystem integrated with Ripple, providing travelers with faster settlements, tokenized rewards, and blockchain membership credentials.
Why is it an “overseas platform”?
Mainland China prohibits any form of Crypto Assets trading and payment. As a state-owned enterprise, Air China cannot directly accept XRP in its domestic operations.
Key to breaking the impasse: transferring application scenarios to overseas platforms can not only avoid domestic regulatory red lines but also experiment with Web3 payments in legal markets.
Strategic significance: Exploring the business model and user feedback of encryption payments without touching the bottom line of domestic policy.
Chinese enterprises “going overseas” exploring a new paradigm of the crypto economy
This is not an isolated case. In August 2025, the Chinese supply chain fintech company Linklogis announced the integration of its platform with the XRP Ledger for RWA tokenization and cross-border payments.
Common characteristics: Focus on applying blockchain to cross-border payments, international trade, and overseas user services.
Strategic Advantage: Utilize the efficiency and low cost of encryption technology to enhance global market competitiveness while maintaining compliance in domestic operations.
Market Reactions and Challenges
Despite the highly topical news, the price of XRP did not rise significantly due to the announcement. Analysts believe that:
Investor Rationality: The market has been able to distinguish between the gap between “cooperation announcements” and “full implementation.”
Landing challenge: need to face the uncertainty of regulatory approvals from multiple countries and the scale and timeline of user adoption.
Industry precedent: Previously, airlines such as Asia Airlines and KLM attempted crypto payments, but did not create a lasting impact.
Long-term Potential: Web3 Transformation of Loyalty Programs
If this model is successfully implemented, it will provide a template for the integration of global aviation and tourism loyalty programs with Web3 solutions.
Tokenized rewards: Redeemable across brands, enhancing member engagement.
Payment Experience Upgrade: Faster Settlement, Lower Fees
Value Transparency: Blockchain Certificates Safeguard Rights
Conclusion
China National Airlines' cooperation with Webus on XRP payments is not only a cross-border attempt but also a microcosm of how large Chinese enterprises navigate strategically in the global Web3 wave. It demonstrates how Chinese companies can explore feasible paths in the crypto economy through overseas platforms under a strict regulatory environment. In the future, this “domestic compliance, overseas innovation” model may become the standard approach for more Chinese companies to participate in the global crypto market.
Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to
Disclaimer.
