H2O Hospitality, a South Korea–based hospitality technology company, has entered a strategic partnership with the ADI Foundation to support the UAE’s national digital currency initiative within the travel and tourism sector. The collaboration aims to build blockchain-based infrastructure that integrates digital currency payments into hospitality services across the country.
The partnership aligns with the UAE’s broader plan to introduce a dirham-pegged stablecoin designed to deliver secure, fast, and scalable digital payments. First Abu Dhabi Bank is expected to issue the stablecoin on ADI Chain, a Layer-2 blockchain network built for high-throughput transactions. The initiative is part of the UAE’s efforts to strengthen its position as a global digital asset and fintech hub.
Under the agreement, H2O Hospitality will act as a strategic partner for the travel and consumer sectors, developing non-custodial mobile wallets that allow tourists to use the stablecoin seamlessly. These wallets will be integrated into H2O’s smart check-in system, enabling visitors to create digital wallets upon arrival in the UAE.
The payment system will use QR-code functionality to allow tourists to make transactions without requiring technical knowledge of blockchain or digital assets. The approach is designed to simplify payments for accommodation, travel services, and other tourism-related expenses, reducing friction for international visitors.
H2O Hospitality said the partnership represents a move beyond traditional hospitality services into fintech-enabled travel solutions. By combining blockchain technology with existing hotel and travel platforms, the company aims to support secure, efficient digital payments while enhancing the overall visitor experience in the UAE.
The initiative supports the UAE government’s wider digital transformation agenda, which focuses on financial innovation, payment efficiency, and improved services for residents and visitors. The integration of a regulated, dirham-backed stablecoin into tourism infrastructure is intended to address challenges related to foreign exchange, cross-border payments, and transaction transparency.
The collaboration between H2O Hospitality and the ADI Foundation reflects growing convergence between hospitality technology and digital finance, positioning blockchain payments as a practical tool within everyday travel experiences in the UAE.
