Brisbane Airport to Start Accepting Bitcoin Payments Soon

Australia’s Brisbane Airport has announced plans to make it the world’s first cryptocurrency-enabled airport. The next time you land or take a flight from the Brisbane Airport, you can make payments at the stores and coffee outlets using crypto coins such as Bitcoin, Ether, Ripple and others.

Leading Innovation by Air

According to local media reports, the airport authorities will be partnering up with store owners within terminal premises to accept payments in virtual currencies.

Brisbane Airport is teaming up with TravelByBit to allow travelers to pay digitally using the company’s digital payment platform. The partnership further reinforces Brisbane Airport’s aim to support local businesses and becoming a leader in the airport digital innovation space. Such a move will also quite possibly improve passenger experience and promote community projects.

Roel Hellemons, who serves as the General Manager of Strategic Developments at Brisbane Airport, said:

“Many people around the world have made money investing in cryptocurrencies and a lot of these people travel internationally, so it makes sense to offer a digital currency experience within our terminals.”

He further added that the management is extremely proud since Brisbane Airport will be the first global airport to accept digital currency payments.

According to Hellemons, it makes sense for the airport to start accepting digital payments as the number of people holding and trading cryptocurrency increases. Even though governments across the world have been tightening regulations and laws surrounding mining and trading virtual currencies, it appears as if Australia is trying to go the opposite route entirely.

Digital currency payments can eliminate third party interferences, tracking user’s sensitive personal data and also transfer money quickly, with minimal fees.

TravelbyBit already has already partnered with a network of merchants to accept payments all across Brisbane outside the airport. From air travel to lodging and even the food industry, the company boasts several partners on board willing to accept virtual currencies. Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley has also been labeled as a “Crypto Valley” by locals as more than 20 merchants in this area recognize virtual payments.

CEO of TravelbyBit, Caleb Yeoh, said, “We are building a genuine use case for cryptocurrencies in the tourism industry. The application of digital currencies in this sector makes a lot of sense.”

He further added that “Whenever you travel overseas you have to deal with multiple currencies and you never know what exchange rates the banks are charging you. Here at TravelbyBit, we are promoting the Bitcoin travel movement. Digital currency for world-wide travel. It’s simple, safe and there’s no bank fees.”