Ether.fi’s launch of a hotel booking service accepting crypto payments through its Cash product marks a significant step toward becoming a full-service neobank. The platform has already attracted $25 million in deposits within a month, indicating strong demand for real-world DeFi applications.
This move bridges decentralized finance with traditional hospitality services, using smart contracts to automate bookings and payments. It demonstrates how DeFi protocols are expanding beyond lending/borrowing into consumer-facing verticals, competing with legacy financial institutions.
The service’s rapid adoption suggests growing mainstream comfort with crypto payments for high-ticket items. However, analysts note regulatory challenges around travel industry compliance and the need for robust consumer protection mechanisms in decentralized travel platforms.
