Airbnb Will Accept Cryptocurrency Payments But Now Focusing On Providing Free Housing For 100,000 Ukrainian Refugees

Airbnb provides free housing for Ukrainian refugees. (Airbnb)

JAKARTA – United States lodging service company Airbnb is reportedly considering accepting payments with cryptocurrencies. In addition, the San Francisco-based company plans to provide housing for 100,000 Ukrainian refugees.

The European Union itself reports that currently there are about four million people trying to leave Ukraine as a result of the Russian invasion as reported by Bitcoin.com News.

When discussing the potential of crypto and the company's efforts to help Ukrainian refugees, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky told CNBC that he supports the idea of paying with crypto.

Chesky added that currently his party is focusing on helping refugees from Ukraine by offering free housing. To date, Airbnb has approximately 6 million active accommodations worldwide.

1. Airbnb and https://t.co/enqjlQB0rH are working with our Hosts to house up to 100,000 refugees fleeing from Ukraine, for free

— Brian Chesky (@bchesky) February 28, 2022

When asked if Airbnb supports crypto because some people in Ukraine tried to accept payments in cryptocurrency after the Russian invasion. He emphasized personally supporting the use of digital money.

“Airbnb. I mean, I personally support the idea of crypto, of course. I think it's a very interesting technology," he said.

“I used Twitter earlier in the year and I asked the community on Twitter if Airbnb could launch something in 2022, what would it be? The number one response was [to] add crypto payments, so I have a team looking into that.”

However, Chesky realized that the implementation of crypto payments could not be implemented immediately. The reason is that Airbnb is currently working on providing housing for refugees.

It is noted that it is unlikely that any crypto will be implemented “that fast.” “So right now we are really focused on providing housing for the refugees. That's what I've mobilized the team to do," Chesky said.

Airbnb has been thinking about cryptocurrencies for some time. In its prospectus filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in November last year, the company named blockchain and cryptocurrencies as some of the technologies under consideration.

Airbnb announced Monday that it is offering free temporary housing to 100,000 refugees from Ukraine. Since the start of Russia's invasion, more than 600,000 civilians have fled Ukraine, according to the United Nations.

“We are reaching out to governments in Poland and Germany and Hungary and Romania, and even countries to the west to offer help,” said the Airbnb CEO.

“We have contacted our hosts. We have saved funds so that we are ready to accommodate up to 100,000 refugees.” He also added that his party is helping refugees as much as possible according to the housing they provide.