• Crypto cards offer lower fees, stability, and exclusive discounts for travelers.
• Many crypto cards also provide rewards, cashback, and enhanced security for global travelers.
• The Mountain Wolf crypto card features a secure multi-currency wallet and instant payments.

A growing number of travelers are favoring cryptocurrency cards over traditional travel money cards, according to new trend data, with these growing crypto adoption rates driven in large part by travelers under the age of 35. 

With the allure of lower transaction fees, enhanced security, and exclusive discounts, crypto cards are increasingly revolutionizing how people manage their finances both at home and abroad. 

In this article, we delve into the benefits of using crypto cards for travel and highlight the rise of platforms like Mountain Wolf, which are leading the charge in this digital payment transformation.

The rise of crypto cards in travel

As technology evolves, traveling in 2024 has become increasingly digital, and cryptocurrency is at the forefront of this shift. 

Traditional travel money cards, while still popular, are losing ground to the more innovative and cost-effective crypto cards. 

In fact, Google Trends data reveals that demand for crypto cards surpassed demand for currency cards for the first time ever in the spring and summer of 2021, and that trend could be set to recur in the upcoming summer vacation period. 

One of the primary reasons for this shift is the significant reduction in transaction fees. Traditional credit and debit cards often incur high fees and unfavorable exchange rates when used abroad. 

In contrast, cryptocurrency operates on a decentralized system with much lower transaction fees. For instance, Bitcoin and Ethereum transactions generally have lower fees compared to international credit card transactions, making them a more economical choice for travelers.

Moreover, crypto cards offer protection against currency fluctuations, a feature particularly appealing in regions with volatile currencies. 

By using stablecoins like USDT or USDC, travelers can avoid the risks associated with sudden exchange rate changes, ensuring better control over their travel budget. This stability is a significant advantage over traditional travel money cards, which are subject to the whims of the foreign exchange market.

Another compelling reason for the growing preference for crypto cards is the exclusive discounts offered by many travel agencies and service providers. Platforms like Travala, a blockchain-based travel booking service, provide discounts on hotels, flights, and activities when paid with cryptocurrencies. 

For example, using Travala’s native cryptocurrency (AVA) can grant an additional 3% discount on bookings. Such incentives and the increasing number of crypto cards make crypto cards an attractive option for savvy travelers looking to maximize their savings.

Mountain Wolf’s crypto card among the most preferred by travelers

Amid the rise of the use of cryptocurrency cards in traveling, Mountain Wolf is among the crypto platforms leading the charge in integrating cryptocurrency into travel. Their crypto card stands out for its multi-currency wallet, which securely houses both FIAT and crypto assets. 

This feature alone offers unparalleled convenience for travelers who no longer need to juggle multiple cards or worry about currency conversions.

The Mountain Wolf crypto card allows for seamless digital payments worldwide, including payrolls, e-commerce, and ATM withdrawals. A unique feature, “Send-Wolf,” ensures instant payments between Mountain Wolf accounts, streamlining the transaction process. 

Furthermore, for those keen on trading, Mountain Wolf provides a user-friendly crypto exchange with competitive rates and swift execution, further enhancing the travel experience.

In addition to lower transaction fees, Mountain Wolf’s crypto card offers various payment options, including SEPA, SWIFT, and Vouchers, providing flexibility for its users. The platform is also committed to expanding its portfolio of currencies, products, and services, continually enhancing its value proposition.

Security is another cornerstone of Mountain Wolf’s offering. The platform employs powerful identity verification systems, gold-standard wallet custody, blockchain analytics, and multi-layer security, ensuring users’ assets and data remain protected. This level of security and transparency reduces the risk of fraud and hidden charges, providing travelers with peace of mind.

Conclusion

The growing acceptance of cryptocurrency worldwide further underscores the benefits of using crypto cards for travel. 

As of 2023, travelers from the USA made 103.4 million outbound visits, with the UK welcoming 4.6 million American travelers according to market research done by VisitBritain. These travelers spent a total of £6 billion, with an average spend of £1,300 per person. 

With such significant travel activity, the cost-saving advantages of crypto cards become even more apparent.

Crypto cards also offer rewards programs and cashback on travel-related expenses including purchases and travel bookings, which can be redeemed for future travel expenses. This added benefit makes crypto cards not only practical but also a financially rewarding choice for modern travelers.

In a nutshell, with the growing acceptance and technological advancements, crypto cards are set to become the preferred choice for travel payments, marking a significant shift in how we manage our finances on the go.

This week, some major news has captured the attention of crypto investors and enthusiasts alike.

The release of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting minutes, Etherfi’s airdrop Season 3 launch, and several other significant developments are expected to influence the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector and the broader crypto industry.

FOMC Meeting Minutes and Other Macro Data Releases

This week, the crypto market braces for several macroeconomic data releases, notably the FOMC meeting minutes and the non-farm payroll figures for June. Analysts expect 180,000 new jobs in June, keeping the unemployment rate at 4%, the highest since February 2022. May saw a gain of 272,000 jobs, initially boosting confidence about the economy despite signs of a slowdown.

Investor concerns about US economic momentum may grow with below-expectation numbers. June’s data revealed continuing unemployment claims at 1.84 million, a peak since November 2021, highlighting difficulties for job seekers. The focus will also be on the average hourly earnings growth, expected to decrease to a post-pandemic low of 3.9% year-on-year in June.

Analysts believe these insights will significantly impact Bitcoin (BTC) and the broader crypto market. According to crypto analyst CrypNuevo, Bitcoin has shown preliminary signs of potential market movements.

They observed two crucial liquidity areas of interest. The first is between $62,500 and $63,500, marking the primary short-term liquidity zone. The second area is around $67,100, regarded as a significant mid-term zone.

CrypNuevo also noted a notable issue in the opposite direction involving a long wick. They believe it will likely get filled to balance the open interest gaps.

“So I finally came up with this projection: Not necessarily for the week ahead, the time frame is more like 2-3 weeks. Impulsive moves up to liquidate high-leverage short positions and then drop back down to fill the 50% of the wick. Forming a potential accumulation range,” CrypNuevo wrote.

Zero1 Labs, a decentralized AI solution, has announced a major activation for the Zero1 community. This initiative, involving over 25 prominent communities, aims to further decentralize its native token, DEAI.

The new Community Program seeks to foster greater engagement within crypto communities and expand Zero1 Labs into the largest AI crypto community. It delivers exclusive rewards to new supporters by forming strategic alliances with top community projects.

Collaborating with well-known communities, Zero1 Labs offers users a chance to claim a share of a $2 million DEAI prize pool. The protocol aims to reward both existing supporters and attract new participants eager to explore decentralized technology and AI.

Participants can earn rewards by engaging with the community and writing unique content about Zero1 Labs. They can enhance their chances of receiving more rewards by completing various social tasks, such as following on X, joining the Discord community, and discussing DEAI on X. Each action accumulates points, increasing the likelihood of earning rewards.

The Community Program will officially kick off on July 3, 2024. To ensure fair participation, snapshots of specific communities will be taken the day before the announcement. This snapshot will determine eligibility, giving participants limited time to engage in social activities and maximize rewards.

NATIX Token Launch and Listings

NATIX Network will launch its token, NATIX, on July 2. On the same day, major crypto exchanges, including KuCoin and Gate.io, will list the NATIX token on their respective platforms. 

This launch is anticipated to provide significant opportunities for traders and investors as it becomes available on prominent exchanges. NATIX is an AI-powered dynamic map supercharged by the decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN) and driver community.

Read more: What Is DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks)?

Etherfi Announces ETHFI Airdrop Season 3

Etherfi, a protocol offering liquid restaking services on the Ethereum network, has recently announced details concerning its Season 2 ETHFI airdrop. The schedule is as follows: the checker tool to verify eligibility for the airdrop will become available on July 5, with the official claiming of airdrops set for July 8.

Additionally, there is exciting news for the upcoming Season 3. Etherfi has committed to distributing 25 million ETHFI tokens. The allocation of these tokens will be based on each community member’s level of participation and engagement.

Season 3 kicked off on July 1 and is expected to run until the beginning of September. Following the end of the season, the airdrop distribution will take place.

SUI and Other Major Token Unlocks

Ethena (ENA), the synthetic currency protocol on Ethereum, will unlock 14.89 million of its native token, ENA, dedicated to ecosystem development. According to Token Unlocks data, these tokens represent 0.92% of ENA’s circulating supply and are worth approximately $7.62 million at the time of writing.

In addition to ENA, DYDX and SUI have also held token unlocks today at midnight UTC. Read this article for further detailed information on major crypto token unlocks this week.

zkSync Introduces Elastic Chain in 3.0 Roadmap

zkSync, an Ethereum layer-2 (L2) network, has introduced a new “Elastic Chain” feature in its latest zkSync 3.0 roadmap. The v24 upgrade transforms zkSync into an Elastic chain from a single ZK chain. This Elastic Chain comprises multiple chains within the zkSync ecosystem, offering users the experience of using a single chain.

Matter Labs, the team behind zkSync, describes the Elastic Chain as an infinitely extensible network of ZK chains. These include rollups, validiums, and volitions. They are secured by mathematical proofs and seamlessly interoperable with a uniform, intuitive user experience.

In a June 29 announcement, the zkSync team promised to share more details on how these ZK chains seamlessly work together this week. This new feature could further enhance the network’s capabilities and user experience.

Read more: What Is zkSync?

Parcl’s Upcoming PRCL Staking Program

Parcl, a real-world asset (RWA) tokenization protocol on the layer-1 blockchain Solana, will present its upcoming PRCL staking program this week. Staking will effectively unlock all participation in the Parcl ecosystem, including governance, existing and future protocol incentives, and Parcl Labs Data API access.

Epochs are a fundamental principle of time for staking, with one epoch equaling seven days. The first epoch will be announced shortly.

This week’s news in the crypto space highlights significant milestones and potential market shifts. Investors and enthusiasts closely watch these events, anticipating their impacts on the market dynamics.

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