Staynex Acquires Sleap.io for €12.8M, Boosts Web3 Travel

Singapore's Staynex, an AI-driven Web3 travel ecosystem championed by travel industry veteran Jeff Hoffman (founder of Priceline and Booking Holdings), has significantly expanded its European footprint and technological capabilities through the acquisition of Swiss hotel tech innovator Sleap.io. The strategic transaction, valued at €12.8 million (approximately $15 million USD), integrates Sleap's advanced booking engine, operational expertise, and core team into the Staynex platform.

This move is particularly timely as Staynex prepares for its token generation event (TGE) and subsequent exchange listings in April 2026. The acquisition immediately injects real-world utility into the STAY token, enabling practical travel rewards from the outset. Sleap.io, founded in Switzerland in 2023, specializes in Web3-native hotel bookings, incorporating cryptocurrency payments and wallet authentication. Its platform currently provides access to over 1.5 million hotels globally, leveraging the Camino Network and broader Web3 infrastructure.

The integration promises a synergistic blend of strengths. Staynex brings its established Asian market presence and a token-powered loyalty framework, while Sleap.io contributes its robust European market knowledge and existing digital asset ecosystem relationships, including connections with entities like Gate and Coinbase. This consolidation aims to create a more comprehensive global travel solution, enhancing booking infrastructure and consumer engagement.

Michael Ros, the founder of Sleap.io, will assume the role of CEO for Europe at the combined Staynex Group. He expressed enthusiasm for the merger, stating, "Joining Staynex is a strong validation of our mission to reimagine hotel booking for the Web3 era. I’m excited to step into a senior leadership role and work closely with Yuen and Jeff Hoffman to build something truly transformative." The continuity of Sleap's product, engineering, and operations teams is expected to facilitate a smooth transition and drive future growth.

Yuen Ho Wong, CEO and Founder of Staynex Group, highlighted the strategic importance of the deal, noting, "This acquisition gives Staynex exactly what the market is looking for right now: stronger traction, deeper infrastructure, and practical utility ahead of our next major milestones." He emphasized that Sleap's established technology and European credibility significantly fortify the STAY ecosystem ahead of its critical upcoming phases.

The unified platform is set to offer an enhanced user experience, featuring AI-driven travel discovery, social membership elements for community engagement, and flexible payment options including both cryptocurrency and traditional fiat. This strategic acquisition positions Staynex for accelerated European expansion and strengthens its value proposition by demonstrating tangible product readiness and consumer adoption, crucial factors in the competitive travel technology sector which is increasingly embracing decentralized technologies and loyalty programs.