Why should I pay for hotels with a stablecoin instead of Bitcoin or Ethereum?
In short
- Stablecoins like USDC hold a fixed value tied to the US dollar, so the dollar value of your payment never shifts between checkout and confirmation.
- Bitcoin and Ethereum can move several percent during a 15-minute checkout window, which can leave a payment underpaid and the booking unconfirmed.
- USDC on Layer 2 networks like Polygon, Arbitrum, Base, or Optimism settles in seconds and costs under 10 cents in network fees.
Volatility is the main reason
Bitcoin and Ethereum prices change every minute. If you start a trip1 booking when 1 ETH is worth $3,500 but the price drops 2% before your transaction confirms, the dollar value of the ETH you sent comes up short. The booking can fail and you have to start over.
Stablecoins remove that risk. One USDC equals one US dollar. The amount you send at checkout is the amount trip1 receives - no surprises if the market moves.
Speed and fees
Bitcoin transactions on the main network can take 10 to 60 minutes to confirm. Ethereum is faster but still costs several dollars in gas during busy periods.
USDC on Polygon, Arbitrum, Base, or Optimism confirms in under a minute and typically costs less than 10 cents in fees. The trip1 payment window is usually 15 minutes - faster confirmation means a higher chance of locking in your reservation on the first try.
When Bitcoin or Ethereum still makes sense
If you already hold Bitcoin or Ethereum and would rather spend it directly than swap to a stablecoin, those networks work fine on trip1. Bitcoin's Lightning Network is fast and cheap. Layer 2 networks for Ethereum are similarly efficient.
But if you're choosing between options at checkout, stablecoins are the simplest path: predictable price, fast settlement, and low fees.
Stablecoin vs Bitcoin or Ethereum for Hotels - FAQ
Not always. If Bitcoin drops while your payment is in flight, the dollar value of what you sent can come up short, and Trip1 will mark the booking as underpaid. Stablecoins like USDC avoid this because the dollar value stays fixed.
Often, yes. USDC on a Layer 2 network like Polygon or Arbitrum costs under 10 cents in network fees. A standard Bitcoin transaction can cost a few dollars depending on congestion, though Lightning Network payments are similarly cheap.
Yes. Before you send the payment, you can pick a different cryptocurrency from the CoinGate checkout window. If you've already started a Bitcoin transaction, you'll need to start a new booking and choose USDC.
USDC is currently Trip1's primary supported stablecoin, processed through CoinGate under EU MiCA regulations. Trip1 may add other MiCA-compliant stablecoins over time.
No. The hotel always receives fiat currency from CoinGate, regardless of the crypto you used. Your stay is processed exactly the same as any other booking.
Still need help?
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Still need help?
Our support team is ready to assist you with any questions.