Focus: Switzerland & Europe

A lost deal at 40,000 feet — all because of payment

It was a cold March morning in Zug. A tech entrepreneur, recently back from a crypto conference in Singapore, had just closed a major deal. Time was tight — he needed to be in Dubai the next morning for a strategic roundtable with investors.

He picked up the phone and chartered a jet from Zurich to Dubai: €48,500, all in. No problem. But when it came to payment, there was a pause.

"Can I pay in USDC?" he asked — calmly, but with the kind of urgency you only feel when the clock is ticking and your reputation is on the line.

The operator hesitated. No wallet. No compliance process. No system in place.

"We can only accept a bank transfer," they said. "It might take a day or two."

Too late.

In the world of private aviation, a two-day delay may as well be forever. Within 30 minutes, the client found another charter company — a boutique Swiss operator who partnered with a licensed crypto payment platform. He paid in USDC, the funds were verified, and full documentation was issued — all within 45 minutes. By nightfall, he was wheels up to Dubai.

In this industry, you're not selling flights — you're selling time

Private jet clients don’t just pay for luxury — they pay for certainty, speed, and control. When a flight is needed, there’s usually no time to wait for slow banking procedures, international wire delays, or card limits.

Crypto payments — especially with stablecoins like USDC or USDT — eliminate friction, enabling real-time access to capital. They’re not about hype. They’re about functionality, access, and being on time.

Can private jet operators in europe legally accept crypto?

Yes — but the bigger question is: should they?

Crypto has long carried a mix of promise and uncertainty. Some see it as the future of finance, others as a passing trend. In private aviation, where discretion, security, and regulation are paramount, the question becomes even sharper: Can crypto truly solve real problems for charter operators — or is it just another layer of complexity? Let’s take a clear-eyed look.

Yes, it’s legal — if done properly

Across the European Union and Switzerland, accepting cryptocurrency for services like jet charters is not illegal. In fact, crypto is treated as a digital asset, and businesses can legally accept it — if certain conditions are met.

That includes:

• Verifying who the customer is (KYC/ KYB)
• Ensuring the funds come from a legitimate source (AML)
• Keeping proper transaction records
• Working with a licensed provider to handle technical and compliance requirements

In short: crypto is allowed, but it must be handled professionally — just like wire transfers or large cash transactions.

Switzerland’s role as a crypto-friendly hub

Switzerland stands out in this discussion. Under the supervision of FINMA, Swiss businesses — including those in real estate, art, and luxury goods — are already accepting cryptocurrency as payment, often using intermediaries who take care of the regulatory side.

So for a Swiss or European charter operator, accepting crypto isn’t a legal issue. The real issue is practicality:

• Does it add value to the business?
• Do clients actually want to pay this way?
• Does it reduce friction — or create more of it?

MiCA: The EU’s attempt to make crypto boring — and safe

The Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation is rolling out across Europe in 2024–2025. Its aim is to bring standardization and consumer protection to a market that has, for too long, relied on unclear rules.

Importantly, MiCA doesn’t ban crypto payments. It defines how crypto platforms must operate and gives businesses a clearer framework if they choose to accept digital assets.

This makes one thing clear: crypto isn’t disappearing. Regulators are preparing for it to stay.

So... Is crypto actually useful in private aviation?

That depends on what you're solving for.

If you're a charter operator frustrated by:

• Delayed international payments
• Last-minute high-net-worth clients wanting flexibility
• Global clients from regions with capital controls
• Or just needing a 24/7, instant payment option...

...then crypto — particularly stablecoins like USDC — might be a genuine solution.

But if your clients are happy with SEPA, SWIFT, or card payments — and you don’t often deal with urgent or cross-border settlement issues — then crypto might simply be an additional option.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The key is to separate hype from actual operational value.

Crypto in private aviation: the real pros and cons

Accepting crypto sounds innovative — maybe even luxurious. But private jet operators know better than to follow trends blindly. When dealing with high-value transactions, tight schedules, and discerning clients, the bar is high: every decision has to deliver operational value. So what does crypto actually bring to the table?

The Potential Advantages

1. Speed: Instant Settlement

Traditional bank wires — especially cross-border — can take hours or even days. Crypto (especially stablecoins like USDC or USDT) settles in minutes, regardless of weekends or banking hours. For last-minute bookings, this can make or break a deal.

2. Appeal to a New Type of Client

There’s a growing segment of crypto-native clients: founders, investors, and younger HNWIs who prefer to pay in digital assets. Not having this option may turn them away — especially in crypto-friendly hubs like Switzerland.

3. No Chargebacks or Payment Reversals

Once a crypto transaction is confirmed, it can’t be reversed — which adds a layer of security against fraud or payment disputes.

4. Cross-Border Efficiency Crypto sidesteps capital controls, foreign exchange delays, and banking barriers. For clients based in restricted jurisdictions, it may be the only viable option in time-sensitive situations.

The Risks and Considerations

1. Volatility — even stablecoins can slip

Cryptocurrencies are known for price swings. While USDC and USDT are widely used, instant conversion to fiat is essential.

2. Regulatory compliance must be watertight

Operators should not accept crypto directly into personal wallets. You must partner with a licensed provider to ensure:

• KYC/ KYB (Know Your Customer/ Know Your Business)
• AML (Anti-Money Laundering)
• SOF (Source of Funds) checks

3. Reputation and client trust

Some clients — especially older HNWIs (High-Net-Worth Individuals) or corporate accounts — may associate crypto with risk.

Without proper framing, you could damage trust rather than gain it.

4. Operational Overhead

Crypto isn’t plug-and-play. It requires:

• Staff education
• Internal risk policies
• Technical integration

Crypto-to-fiat settlement via bank transfers: key stats & insights

1. Crypto-to-fiat conversion is the norm

According to Chainalysis and Messari, over 65–70% of high-value crypto transactions (real estate, jets, legal) are converted to fiat within 24–72 hours. This is typically done via licensed platforms (e.g., CryptoPayments.com, Coinbase Commerce, Fireblocks), which then transfer fiat via SEPA or SWIFT.

2. Most crypto payments settle via bank transfers

Across Europe, data shows that the vast majority of business-focused crypto transactions — between 80% and 98% — are ultimately converted to fiat and settled via traditional banking methods such as SEPA or SWIFT. In 2023, industry-wide processing volumes for crypto-to-fiat settlements in high-value sectors (including real estate, private aviation, and luxury goods) exceeded $10 billion, with regulated payment providers reporting that nearly all payouts were completed via bank transfers for compliance and accounting purposes.

3. Aviation-specific insight

In crypto-friendly real estate and aviation sectors (Switzerland, Dubai, Portugal), most transactions:

• Start in USDC or USDT
• End in EUR/CHF/USD
• Settle to corporate bank accounts via SEPA/SWIFT

Final Thoughts: Should You Accept Crypto?

Before jumping in, ask yourself:

1. Do my clients request crypto payments?
2. Am I losing deals due to bank transfer delays?
3. Do I serve urgent, cross-border, or tech-savvy clientele?
4. Do I have (or need) a licensed partner for compliance?
5. Can my team support this operationally?

If the answer is "yes" to several of the above — crypto might not just help. It might give you an edge.

But if it's just an extra tool in a stable system, there's no shame in watching and waiting. Because in private aviation, like in crypto, timing is everything.