Ethernity
Ethernity, operating as Epic Chain, is a Cayman Islands-based Web3 platform offering crypto-paid hotel and flight bookings at up to 30% off Booking.com, with up to 8% XRP cashback and a token-gated premium concierge service for crypto-native travelers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersGrand Cayman, Cayman Islands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Ethernity does
Ethernity (operating as Epic Chain) is a Cayman Islands-based Web3 platform that has pivoted from its 2021 origins as an Ethereum-hosted NFT marketplace into a crypto-enabled travel booking service. The company's current product, the Epic Chain platform, lets users reserve hotels and flights at discounts of up to 30% versus Booking.com, pay with more than 200 cryptocurrencies, and earn up to 8% cashback in XRP. A premium concierge tier is unlocked for holders of $10,000 or more in the native EPIC token, providing dedicated travel agents and on-call support. The underlying technology stack includes the proprietary Epic Chain L1 blockchain (succeeding the original Ethernity Chain on Ethereum), integration with Chainlink oracles, custody via Ceffu, and crypto-to-fiat processing through Brinks. The company also operates Ethernal Labs, a wholly-owned creative studio developing a play-to-earn role-playing game and metaverse initiatives.
The business generates revenue primarily through commissions on hotel and flight transactions booked through the platform, supplemented by token-gated premium service upsells. Marketing and distribution are entirely digital, leveraging token listings on Binance, Bybit, and Crypto.com; social channels (X, Telegram, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit); earned media in crypto outlets; and a $25 referral gift promotion. The primary customer segment is crypto-native individual travelers seeking to monetize digital holdings through real-world utility, with a secondary segment of high-net-worth token holders targeted for concierge services. Notable historical enterprise relationships — including Shaquille O'Neal, Lionel Messi, Toys R Us, and US Space Force — relate to the prior NFT advisory business and are leveraged for brand credibility rather than as ongoing revenue contracts.
Ethernity is a privately held venture-backed company that raised $20 million in seed funding in February 2022 from a syndicate including Ripple, Algorand, and Polygon Studios, alongside undisclosed individual and VC investors. Headcount is reported in the 11–50 range. The company is actively executing the rebrand from Ethernity to Epic and migrating token holders and infrastructure from the Ethereum-based Ethernity Chain to the new Epic Chain L1.
Ethernity firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ethernity
- Website
- https://ethernity.io
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Ethernity, operating as Epic Chain, is a Cayman Islands-based Web3 platform offering crypto-paid hotel and flight bookings at up to 30% off Booking.com, with up to 8% XRP cashback and a token-gated premium concierge service for crypto-native travelers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ethernity industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Online Travel Services
- NAICS
- Travel Agencies (561510), Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities (522320), Traveler Accommodation (7211)
- SIC
- Finance Services (6199)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Crypto Payments & Stablecoin Settlement Platforms (BPAMAFAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Crypto Payment Gateways & Checkout APIs (FSADAIAA), NFT Commerce, Ticketing & Utility Enablement (token-gated access, memberships, passes, ticketing rails) (FSAPAFAJ)
Keywords
Where Ethernity is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Grand Cayman
- HQ country
- Cayman Islands
Markets served
Ethernity business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- Travel Booking Commissions: Platform generates revenue through commissions on hotel and flight bookings made through the Epic platform, offering discounted rates compared to mainstream travel sites while earning a margin.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Platform Access |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Premium Concierge Tier |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Ethernity product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ethernity, now operating as Epic Chain, runs a blockchain-based travel booking platform that allows users to reserve hotels and flights using 200+ cryptocurrencies at discounts of up to 30% versus Booking.com, with rewards of up to 8% cashback paid in XRP. The platform operates an EPIC utility token that unlocks a premium concierge service for holders with $10,000+ in tokens, and historically ran an authenticated NFT marketplace for licensed digital collectibles featuring celebrities and major brands.
Product overview
Ethernity has evolved from an Ethereum NFT marketplace into Epic Chain, a Web3 travel booking platform. The current product portfolio centers on Epic Chain — a travel platform offering discounted hotel and flight bookings (up to 30% below Booking.com) with 200+ crypto payment options, EPIC token-based utility (concierge access at $10,000+ holdings), and up to 8% XRP cashback. The legacy Ethernity brand included an NFT marketplace and Ethernal Labs creative studio (developing a play-to-earn RPG with Riot Games), which have been superseded by the Epic Chain pivot.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Epic Chain Travel Platform Web3 travel booking platform enabling consumers to reserve hotels and flights using 200+ cryptocurrencies, with pricing up to 30% below Booking.com and up to 8% XRP cashback on bookings. Includes access to 2M+ hotels worldwide and integration with major chains like Marriott, Hilton, and Aman.
- EPIC Token Native utility token of the Epic Chain platform used for booking discounts, earning XRP cashback, and qualifying holders for premium concierge access at the $10,000+ holding tier. Listed on Binance, Bybit, and Crypto.com exchanges.
- Premium Concierge Service Premium travel concierge service for EPIC token holders with $10,000+ holdings, providing a dedicated concierge who finds best rates, handles bookings, and provides on-call support for hotel and flight reservations.
- Ethernity NFT Marketplace Ethereum-based NFT marketplace where users could mint, buy, and sell authenticated and licensed digital collectibles. Served as Ethernity's original core product before the company's pivot to travel booking services.
- Ethernal Labs Creative Studio Creative studio developing play-to-earn role-playing games, NFT drops, and metaverse initiatives, with development assistance from Riot Games' Thomas Vu.
- Ethernity Play-to-Earn RPG Play-to-earn role-playing game under development by Ethernal Labs, designed as part of Ethernity's expansion into gaming, NFT drops, and metaverse experiences.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 30% savings on hotels and flights compared to Booking.com
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Ethernity
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Ethernity technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Ethernity partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- MarriottcoreHotel partner providing 2M+ hotels inventory to the Epic travel platform, enabling crypto payments for Marriott properties worldwide.
- HiltoncoreHotel partner integrated into Epic's 2M+ hotel network enabling discounted booking with crypto payments.
- AmancoreLuxury hotel partner included in Epic's portfolio of 2M+ hotels worldwide for premium crypto-enabled travel bookings.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Ethernity competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Airbnb: Airbnb is a global alternative accommodations platform that overlaps with Epic's lodging offering. It is comparable as a category-defining incumbent whose supplier relationships and consumer brand any crypto-travel entrant must contend with.
- Booking.com: Booking.com is the dominant global OTA against which Epic explicitly benchmarks its '30% less than Booking.com' pricing. It is the primary incumbent Epic must beat on price, inventory depth, and consumer trust.
- Expedia Group: Expedia operates a portfolio of OTAs (Expedia, Hotels.com, Vrbo) that collectively dominate online travel. It is referenced by Epic in its savings comparisons and represents the scale incumbent Epic is attempting to disrupt.
Direct peers
- Tripio: Tripio is a blockchain-based travel marketplace connecting travelers with hotels and tour providers via smart contracts and its TRIO token. It is comparable to Epic as a Web3-native OTA competing for the same crypto-traveler demand.
- LockTrip: LockTrip (now LOKA) is a blockchain-based hotel and flight booking platform that accepts crypto and uses a token-incentivized discount model. It is a direct competitor in the discounted crypto-travel category Epic is targeting.
- Travala: Travala is the leading crypto-native travel booking platform offering hotels, flights, and tours paid with 20+ cryptocurrencies plus its own AVA token rewards. It is the closest direct competitor to Epic, competing for the same crypto-traveler wallet with a token-incentivized model.
- Winding Tree: Winding Tree is a decentralized B2B travel marketplace built on blockchain that connects travel suppliers directly with sellers. It is comparable to Epic in using crypto rails to disintermediate traditional OTAs, though focused on B2B distribution.
- XcelTrip: XcelTrip is a blockchain-based travel marketplace that lets users book flights and hotels with crypto, including via its XCEL token. It overlaps directly with Epic's positioning as a Web3 travel booking platform.
Emerging players
- BitPay: BitPay is a crypto payment processor that enables merchants including travel suppliers to accept crypto. It is comparable as a piece of adjacent infrastructure Epic may integrate or compete with on crypto checkout rails.
- Crypto.com Travel: Crypto.com's travel offering (built on Travala) lets users spend CRO/crypto on hotels and flights. It is comparable because it bundles travel utility into a broader crypto super-app and competes for the same crypto-paying traveler.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Ethernity social profiles
Digital presenceEthernity financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ethernity leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Ethernity subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Ethernity funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors8 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ethernity M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ethernity
What does Ethernity do?
Ethernity, now operating as Epic Chain, runs a blockchain-based travel booking platform that allows users to reserve hotels and flights using 200+ cryptocurrencies at discounts of up to 30% versus Booking.com, with rewards of up to 8% cashback paid in XRP. The platform operates an EPIC utility token that unlocks a premium concierge service for holders with $10,000+ in tokens, and historically ran an authenticated NFT marketplace for licensed digital collectibles featuring celebrities and major brands.
Is Ethernity a public or private company?
Ethernity is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Ethernity founded?
Ethernity was founded in 2021. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ethernity based?
Ethernity is headquartered in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
How does Ethernity make money?
One revenue line is on record: travel Booking Commissions.
Who are Ethernity's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Airbnb, Booking.com and Expedia Group. Direct peers are Tripio, LockTrip, Travala, Winding Tree and XcelTrip. Emerging players are BitPay and Crypto.com Travel.
Does Ethernity have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ethernity.
What industry is Ethernity in?
Ethernity's product category is Online Travel Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMAFAL, Crypto Payments & Stablecoin Settlement Platforms, with a secondary code of FSADAIAA, Crypto Payment Gateways & Checkout APIs. Its NAICS code is 561510 and its SIC code is 6199.