The hospitality industry has long been associated with innovating and adapting new technologies. In a groundbreaking move, El Salvador’s hospitality sector is poised to make a significant leap into cryptocurrency by introducing tokenised debt on Bitcoin (BTC).

Overview

On April 11 2024, Bitfinex revealed that investors will soon be able to own a slice of Hilton hotel in the country by buying tokenised shares issued on the BTC layer 2 Liquid Network. Bitfinex Securities, the first licensed and registered digital asset provider in El Salvador, will facilitate the first-ever tokenised asset raise in the country. At the same time, the debt is issued from Inversiones Laguardia SA de CV. According to the report, the hotel will be constructed at the country’s international airport. Inversiones Laguardia wants to raise $6.25 million from crowdfunders for a 10% coupon over a 5-year term. 

Chief technology officer of Bitfinex Securities, Paolo Ardoino, retweeted Bitfinex’s post on X and highlighted that this move made by the provider is the first for El Salvador. Ardoino, said, “[This] represents an important step forward in developing its nascent capital market as well as introducing a major new asset class into the market.” He added, “For the first time, investors who do not usually have the opportunity to invest in such assets have the opportunity to do so, while issuers in markets with less access to capital can tap into a new asset class to raise finance.”

The Rise of Tokenised Debt and Bitcoin in El Salvador

El Salvador’s recent adoption of BTC as a legal tender has sparked a flurry of activity within the country’s financial ecosystem. One notable development is the emergence of tokenised debt, a concept that leverages blockchain technology to fractionalise and trade debt instruments.

The country’s newest Hilton hotel project is pioneering tokenised debt on the BTC blockchain. The hotel aims to access new financing sources by tokenising its debt obligations while leveraging crypto’s benefits. The report suggested that investors must make a minimum $1,000 investment to purchase the token on the Liquid Network under the ticker HILSV.

In April 2023, El Salvador decided to expand into the real-world asset tokenisation space by granting Bitfinex a digital asset service provider licence. According to the chief strategy officer of The Bitcoin Hardware Store, Jamie Robinson mentioned that before BTC, many locals in the country were stuck between no investments and buying an entire house. Bitcoin commentator Stacy Herbet emphasised, “Bitfinex’s expansion marks a new era of capital markets on Bitcoin in El Salvador, which will offer the local population a new way to access financial markets.” Head of operations at Bitfinex Securities, Jesse Knutson, said, “This capital raise not only marks our first venture in El Salvador but also stands as a testament to the transformative power of Bitcoin-based capital markets.”

Implications and Opportunities for the Hospitality Sector

The venture represents a significant milestone for both the hospitality and crypto industries. By embracing tokenised debt on BTC, the hotel is diversifying its financing options and tapping into a global network of crypto investors. Bitfinex suggested that the hotel project will have five levels, five commercial spaces, 80 rooms, and other amenities, such as a gym, gardens, restaurants, a swimming pool and multipurpose rooms. 

The provider pinpointed that HILVS token holders will be offered some free nights of accommodation at the hotel, which will be based on the size of their investment. Moreover, blockchain technology provides several advantages to the hospitality sector. These include enhanced transparency, reduced transaction costs, and increased liquidity. The hotel can streamline its financing process and access capital by tokenising its debt on the BTC blockchain. Furthermore, this initiative underscores El Salvador’s position as a trailblaser in adopting crypto. With its forward-thinking approach to regulation and innovation, the country is positioning itself as a hub for blockchain technology and digital assets.

El Salvador’s newest Hilton hotel project represents a bold step towards integrating cryptocurrency into the hospitality sector. By embracing tokenised debt on the Bitcoin blockchain, the hotel is embracing innovation and unlocking new opportunities for growth and development. As the world continues to embrace digital assets, initiatives like this will become more commonplace, reshaping the landscape of the hospitality industry and the broader economy.