Travala, Crypto-Native Travel Website, Said to Receive Unsolicited Takeover Approach

Travala.com, the holiday website that allows users to pay with cryptocurrency, is in talks with potential buyers after receiving an unsolicited takeover approach late last year, according to two people with knowledge of the matter.

The Binance-backed company received an inquiry, triggering outreach by Travala’s advisers to major online travel agencies such as Booking.com, one of the world’s largest online travel companies

Booking.com “kicked the tires” before deciding to pass on a potential acquisition, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the matter is private. Talks, however, are in progress with other potential buyers, but there is no certainty a deal will be done and the company may choose to remain independent, the people said.

Travala declined to comment. A spokesperson from Booking.com confirmed that Travala had reached out, that there had been a couple of calls where more information was shared and ultimately Booking.com decided not to progress.

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