Emirates airline has partnered with Crypto.com to let UAE residents book flights using cryptocurrency, including Shiba Inu (SHIB). The move comes as the Shiba Inu ecosystem celebrates its sixth birthday on August 1, with the community buzzing about a possible major update — though nothing has been confirmed.
Community split on spending SHIB
Shiba Inu's official X account encouraged holders to use the token for booking flights via Crypto.com. But the response has been mixed. Some community members plan to take advantage of the new option, while others are refusing, pointing to the cautionary tale of Laszlo Hanyecz, who spent 10,000 Bitcoin on two pizzas in 2010 — worth over $630 million today. The debate echoes the classic spend-versus-hold dilemma that has followed crypto since its early days.
Whale activity and token burns
Last weekend saw a sharp rally in SHIB, followed by a pullback. On-chain data from Santiment showed a spike in whale transactions during the rally, suggesting large holders took profits while retail traders provided liquidity. Meanwhile, a mysterious whale resumed accumulating SHIB after more than half a year of inactivity, and the token's burning mechanism saw a notable resurgence. Both factors are seen as potential catalysts for the price movement, though the market has since cooled.
Birthday speculation
The Shiba Inu team is preparing for the token's sixth birthday today. Community speculation is running high about a possible major ecosystem update, but there has been no official confirmation. The timing of the Emirates partnership adds another layer of attention to the project's milestone.
For now, SHIB holders are watching for any birthday announcements from the team — and deciding whether to book a flight or hold their tokens.
