A daring move by the Chinese AI-powered ride-hailing company Webus International has drawn attention from far beyond the cryptocurrency community in a year characterized by erratic markets and blockchain innovations. To create a dedicated XRP reserve, the company recently revealed plans to raise up to $300 million. The objective is to incorporate the XRP Ledger into its worldwide chauffeur and mobility service to provide instantaneous, international payments as well as loyalty rewards supported by blockchain technology.
The price of XRP hardly moved, which surprised me. Even when those promises carry a $300 million price tag, investors appear to be waiting for more than just assurances.
Webus’s Vision: Travel Payments Powered by Cryptocurrency Instantly
Webus CEO Nan Zheng outlines the company’s objective to utilize the XRP blockchain not only as a practical payment method but also as a valuable store of value. In the official press release, he said, “The integration of XRP has the potential to revolutionize how we handle global payments for partners and travelers alike” (source).
The money will be utilized to implement the XRP Ledger and create a special XRP reserve, which will include:
- Booking confirmations for on-chain rides
- Web3-based reward systems
- Quick payments to drivers across borders
The funding plan is unusual in and of itself. Webus intends to raise the money through non-equity financing techniques like institutional credit lines and shareholder guarantees, avoiding share dilution and concentrating instead on financial engineering. This novel strategy might serve as a model for other businesses embracing cryptocurrency.
Fundamentals Loud, Market Muted
The market’s reaction to XRP was remarkably silent, despite its lofty goals. Following the news, the token only fell 0.5 percent, which is more indicative of skepticism than rejection. According to analysts, this is primarily because the financing is still in its early phases and is pending due diligence and regulatory approval.
But something is simmering beneath the surface.
The announcement that clean energy company VivoPower intends to construct a $121 million XRP-backed treasury is similar to this one, indicating that XRP is gradually becoming acknowledged as more than just a remittance token. To provide context, the lack of price movement in XRP, even during significant announcements, has been a longstanding source of criticism. The undervaluation of XRP may persist until a larger institutional wave hits.
Why XRP? The Argument in Favor of Blockchain Efficiency
Why choose XRP over Ethereum or Bitcoin, then?
The key factors are cost and efficiency. The XRP Ledger charges a fraction of a cent and settles transactions in 3–5 seconds. It is therefore perfect for enterprise-level payment systems. With operations on multiple continents, Webus stands to gain from removing the inefficiencies of conventional banking systems.
Additionally, Webus is rebranding XRP as a blockchain ecosystem fit for real-world business, not just a remittance rail for Ripple.
Webus’s $300 million wager is a signal as much as a business decision. This indicates that businesses are looking beyond the hype. For speed, efficiency, and transparency, they are investing in cryptocurrency. Although XRP may not yield meme-coin-like profits right away, its consistent incorporation into legitimate businesses indicates that its best days are still to come.
In a time of rug pulls and flash-in-the-pan tokens, XRP is a proven, mature protocol that is stealthily making its way into company balance sheets. It remains to be seen if the market decides to acknowledge this now or later. Webus, however, is not placing his money on the hype. They are placing bets on the rails.
Also read: Hyperscale Data’s $10 Million XRP Investment Marks Strategic Shift in Financial Services
