Blockchain Press Releases
Growth for Growth: utu Expansion to Harness Booming Middle East Travel
Travel-tech company raises US$33 Million, Acquires SC Ventures-Incubated CardsPal to Bring More Value to Travellers
DUBAI, UAE, June 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — utu, a travel technology company transforming the customer experience in tax-free shopping, has closed a deal of US$33 million in combined transaction value. The deal, comprising of an acquisition and a funding round, consists of both a portion of new funding, with SC Ventures participating, and the roll-over of earlier funding from Singapore-based investors, marking a major milestone in scaling up the brand’s endeavours to transform tax-free shopping experiences worldwide. Using the Covid hiatus to establish key partnerships with global airlines such as Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways, along with hotel chains and retail brands, utu will use the funds to further expand rewards opportunities for tax-free shopping.
In May 2023, the UN World Tourism Organisation published data showing that the Middle East was the first region in the world to reach and exceed pre-pandemic travel levels during Q1 of 2023, surpassing 2019 figures by 15%. With growth of internal resources to meet this external growth in the region and beyond, utu, co-founded by travel retail and VAT refund veteran Asad Jumabhoy, is poised to disrupt the travel shopping industry by re-engineering the tax refund process, reaching more travellers.
Re-engineering tax-free shopping with Middle East rewards partners
Rather than competing with existing players, utu collaborates with refund and travel industry partners, enhancing refund value through innovative B2B and B2C solutions. With a reengineered approach that links payments, rewards, and shopping, utu introduces new value for tourist shoppers, retailers, VAT refund operators and the entire tax-free shopping value chain.
In the Middle East, this value chain extends to major airlines, specifically their frequent flyer programs. With Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest, and the Qatar Airways Privilege Club as rewards partners, utu allows users to earn miles with VAT refunds with increased value and to choose among several top regional carriers’ rewards programs. It also partners with Accor, Europe’s largest hospitality brand.
Asad Jumabhoy, co-founder and CEO of utu, commented: “The cross-border travel market is ripe for a technology-driven transformation, with tax-free shopping presenting vast untapped potential. By enhancing the value of VAT and GST refunds for travellers, we’ve reimagined the cross-border retail experience and devised a technology-based business model unlocking previously inaccessible value. This strategy benefits all stakeholders while also enabling governments to compliantly recycle VAT refunds within their borders.”
In re-engineering the refund process, utu offers users two primary value-centric benefits when they opt to receive tax refunds via their utu Tax Free Card. Firstly, travellers can gain up to 40% more value by opting for frequent flyer miles or hotel points over cash refunds. Secondly, utu can issue an immediate store voucher equivalent to up to 120% of the VAT or GST paid during overseas shopping.
Accelerating availability of utu worldwide
The CardsPal acquisition equips utu with a digital marketplace, a unique promotions engine, a self-service merchant registration portal, and more. This technology will expedite utu’s rollout in major tax-free shopping markets like the UAE alongside some 50 countries offering VAT and GST refunds. Additionally, utu is developing plans to integrate CardsPal’s hyper-localised retail experience into an improved pay-with-points offer more value.
Gautam Jain, Member, at SC Ventures said: “CardsPal is a great example of why we at SC Ventures believe in the power of innovation and support our employees to have transformational impact. Through SC Ventures’ Intrapreneurship Program, CardsPal grew to become a substantial business with award winning UX. We look forward to utu’s continued success scaling its products across the globe using CardsPal’s technology.”
About utu
utu is a travel technology company on a mission to enrich the tax-free shopping experience. Leveraging over 27 years of sector expertise, co-founders Asad and Ameer Jumabhoy sought to create a platform that firmly positions tourists at the heart of the international shopping experience. By making use of innovative cross-border rewards technology, utu is able to reward travellers for every tax-free shopping transaction across 50 countries and with any VAT Refund Operator (VRO). utu is changing the world of tax-free shopping, transforming a once administrative process into a more rewarding experience for everyone involved – brands, VROs and tourists.
SC Ventures
SC Ventures is a business unit that provides a platform and catalyst for Standard Chartered to promote innovation, invest in disruptive financial technology and explore alternative business models.
For more information, please visit www.scventures.io and follow SC Ventures on LinkedIn.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/growth-for-growth-utu-expansion-to-harness-booming-middle-east-travel-301866002.html
In recent news, Bitgert coin’s price is anticipated to soar in the coming days, marking a significant development in the cryptocurrency market. This projection has attracted attention from investors and enthusiasts alike, as they await potential gains from the anticipated price surge.
The expected rise in Bitgert coin’s price has stirred excitement among crypto investors, who are closely monitoring market trends and developments to capitalize on potential opportunities. This surge is attributed to various factors, including market sentiment, technological advancements, and investor confidence in the project’s prospects.
As the cryptocurrency landscape continues to evolve, Bitgert coin’s projected price increase underscores the dynamic nature of the market and the potential for significant gains. Investors are advised to conduct thorough research and exercise caution when trading cryptocurrencies, as price movements can be volatile and unpredictable.
Overall, the anticipated surge in Bitgert coin’s price reflects the growing interest and optimism surrounding the project, highlighting its potential to deliver substantial returns for investors in the near future.
Source: cryptodaily.co.uk
The post Breaking News: Bitgert Coin Price Expected To Skyrocket In Coming Days appeared first on HIPTHER Alerts.
Ethereum developers are setting their sights on improving the user experience of crypto wallets with the implementation of Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP) 3074. This proposal aims to simplify the process of interacting with Ethereum smart contracts, making it easier for users to manage their digital assets securely.
EIP-3074 introduces a new type of account called “constrained accounts,” which are designed to restrict certain types of interactions with smart contracts. This feature enhances the security of crypto wallets by limiting the scope of potential attacks and reducing the risk of unauthorized access to funds.
One of the key benefits of EIP-3074 is its ability to streamline the user experience of interacting with Ethereum smart contracts. By simplifying the process of managing digital assets, this proposal aims to make crypto wallets more accessible to a wider audience, including non-technical users.
In addition to improving usability, EIP-3074 also enhances the security of Ethereum wallets by introducing new permissioning mechanisms. Constrained accounts allow users to define specific rules and conditions for interacting with smart contracts, providing an additional layer of protection against potential vulnerabilities and exploits.
Overall, EIP-3074 represents a significant step forward in the ongoing effort to enhance the usability and security of Ethereum wallets. By introducing constrained accounts and new permissioning mechanisms, this proposal aims to make it easier for users to manage their digital assets securely while also reducing the risk of unauthorized access and potential attacks.
Source: coindesk.com
The post Ethereum Developers Target Ease of Crypto Wallets With ‘EIP-3074’ appeared first on HIPTHER Alerts.
Blockchain
Istanbul Blockchain Week 2024 Returns Showcasing Turkey as the Rising Star in Web3 Adoption
Istanbul Blockchain Week 2024 is making a comeback, highlighting Turkey as a rising star in Web3 adoption. This event, set to take place in Istanbul, aims to showcase Turkey’s growing prominence in the adoption of Web3 technologies and its potential to become a leader in the blockchain industry.
With a focus on fostering collaboration and innovation in the blockchain space, Istanbul Blockchain Week 2024 will bring together industry experts, developers, investors, and enthusiasts from around the world. The event will feature a series of keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions, providing participants with valuable insights and opportunities to connect with key players in the industry.
One of the key objectives of Istanbul Blockchain Week 2024 is to highlight Turkey’s vibrant blockchain ecosystem and its potential to drive innovation and economic growth. As a strategically located hub between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Turkey offers a unique opportunity for blockchain companies to tap into diverse markets and access a skilled talent pool.
The event will also serve as a platform for showcasing the latest developments and trends in the blockchain industry, including decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), and more. Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights into the future of blockchain technology and its potential impact on various industries.
Istanbul Blockchain Week 2024 is expected to attract a diverse audience, including blockchain enthusiasts, investors, entrepreneurs, government officials, and academics. By bringing together stakeholders from across the globe, the event aims to foster collaboration, drive innovation, and accelerate the adoption of blockchain technology in Turkey and beyond.
Overall, Istanbul Blockchain Week 2024 promises to be an exciting and impactful event, showcasing Turkey’s growing influence in the blockchain industry and highlighting the country’s potential to become a global leader in Web3 adoption.
Source: cryptoslate.com
The post Istanbul Blockchain Week 2024 Returns Showcasing Turkey as the Rising Star in Web3 Adoption appeared first on HIPTHER Alerts.
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