Chinese AI-powered mobility company Webus International Limited has announced a bold initiative to reshape its cross-border payment infrastructure.
The firm revealed plans to establish a $300 million XRP reserve, aimed at eliminating the frictions associated with international transactions, particularly in its chauffeur services.
Alongside this move, Webus is also renewing its strategic partnership with Tongcheng Travel Holdings Ltd., a major player in China’s tourism industry.
The company confirmed on May 29 that it intends to pursue non-equity financing for the initiative.
This will include mechanisms such as bank loans, shareholder guarantees, institutional credit, and internal reserves.
CEO Nan Zheng emphasized the long-term vision behind the dual announcements, stating, “These strategic developments have the potential to create a powerful synergy between our domestic and international operations.”
He added, “Our partnership with Tongcheng strengthens our China network infrastructure, while the integration of an XRP blockchain integration has the potential to revolutionize how we handle cross-border payments for both partners and travelers worldwide.”
XRP’s Role in Webus’s Global Strategy
At the heart of this plan is XRP, Ripple Labs’ digital asset that boasts rapid transaction speeds and low fees.
Webus believes these characteristics make XRP ideal for facilitating frictionless global payments.
The company wants to leverage the cryptocurrency to make real-time chauffeur payouts, issue instant refunds, and streamline cross-border settlement processes.
Zheng elaborated, “Internationally, our potential XRP implementation can eliminate traditional payment friction, allowing instant settlement with chauffeurs and service providers worldwide while providing immediate refunds when needed.”
He said this effort will contribute to creating “a truly borderless travel experience for our customers.”
Webus’s broader strategy has three main components.
First, building a dedicated XRP reserve.
Second, developing proprietary blockchain infrastructure, which includes digital wallets, Web3-based loyalty programs, and on-chain booking systems.
Third, driving the international expansion of its mobility platform.
Although XRP is still a niche choice in the corporate treasury world—where Bitcoin dominates—Webus’s move aligns with a recent trend.
Earlier, VivoPower International announced plans for a $121 million crypto treasury, signaling growing institutional curiosity about alternative digital assets.
Crypto Market Largely Unmoved by the Announcement
Despite the size and ambition of the Webus announcement, the reaction in crypto markets was largely indifferent.
XRP’s price remained flat following the news, suggesting skepticism or a wait-and-see attitude from investors.
This tepid response may be due to the preliminary nature of the initiative.
The proposed $300 million fund is not finalized, and is contingent on due diligence and further documentation.
No timeline for completion has been made public.
Still, the broader ecosystem for XRP is showing signs of momentum.
Recent developments include a CME futures listing and the first XRP ETF from Volatility Shares.
Several spot ETF applications are also currently under review by the SEC.
These developments indicate that institutional interest in XRP may be gradually building.
Early Days for XRP in Corporate Treasuries
Webus’s initiative is part of a small but potentially growing trend of companies turning to XRP for operational efficiencies, rather than speculative gains.
Unlike crypto-native firms, Webus operates in AI and mobility, suggesting a more utilitarian interest in blockchain technologies.
If this experiment proves successful, it could pave the way for broader adoption of XRP and similar assets among non-crypto enterprises.
For now, XRP investors and crypto watchers may need to focus less on short-term price movements and more on the long-term corporate integrations that could drive sustained adoption.