Ocean Independence to accept cryptocurrency payments
Superyacht brokerage firm Ocean Independence is now offering clients the option of payment with cryptocurrencies. The company is working in partnership with Austria-based IT and financial service provider Salamantex GmbH, who will manage the systematic processing of payments and will safeguard the smooth processing of all transactions, according to the company.
“Cryptocurrencies have become an integral part of today’s world and will become increasingly important,” says Peter Hürzeler, managing partner at Ocean Independence. “Therefore, it stands to reason that our clients are now able to pay for their yacht purchase and yacht charter with this type of currency. As one of the first yachting companies to take this step, we are delighted to facilitate the acceptance of most common cryptocurrencies.”
Additional support has been provided by industry experts at financial services firm Vistra. Georg Oehme, team leader and specialist yachting division member at Vistra, comments: “We see great potential for the use of blockchain technologies, especially cryptocurrencies, in yachting transactions. Blockchain technology could be the basis for the charter process in the future, although now we see its application mainly in the context of payments. Payment in crypto allows for much faster settlement confirmation compared to payment by bank transfer, and the ability to pay in cryptocurrency will potentially attract new charter clientele, we are very pleased that Ocean Independence has now introduced the process.”
Currently, there are thousands of different cryptocurrencies worldwide, all with different functions. It’s claimed they are completely suitable as a modern means of payment, which, thanks to a decentralised structure, does not require a bank or other intermediaries.
Ocean Independence is the latest high-profile brokerage to start accepting cryptocurrency. In 2021, UK charter broker Helm started accepting cryptocurrency as payment for yacht charters. The company says this makes it the first UK charter broker to move into the area.
Hürzeler summed up this latest development for the company: “At Ocean Independence, all brokers are poised in the starting blocks to serve customers interested in this new payment option.”
Founded in 2005, Ocean Independence superyacht brokerage company, specialises in yacht sales, charter, new build, and management. The company, which has approximately 115 employees operating from 13 offices around the world, recently joined Deutsche Yachten, the working group of the German Boat and Shipbuilders Association.
