KEY FACTS: Emirates Airlines and Dubai Duty Free have partnered with Crypto.com to integrate cryptocurrency payments, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, for flights, in-flight services, and duty-free purchases, with implementation expected by Q4 2025. Signed at Emirates Group Headquarters under the presence of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Memoranda of Understanding align with Dubai’s D33 Economic Agenda to achieve 90% cashless transactions by 2026 and position the emirate as a global digital finance hub. This move aims to cater to tech-savvy customers and boost Dubai Duty Free’s $1.12 billion sales, supported by the UAE’s pro-crypto regulations and over 650 crypto firms in Dubai’s DMCC free zone.
Source: Emirates
Emirates Airlines Partners with Crypto.com to enable Cryptocurrency Payments
Emirates Airlines and Dubai Duty Free have signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Crypto.com, a leading cryptocurrency exchange platform, to integrate digital currency payments into their operations. This strategic partnership, announced on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, positions Emirates as the largest airline to adopt cryptocurrency payments, marking a significant step toward mainstream adoption of digital assets in the travel and tourism industry. The collaboration also emphasizes Dubai’s ambitious vision to become a global leader in digital finance and innovation, aligning with the emirate’s D33 Economic Agenda and its goal of achieving 90% cashless transactions by 2026.
Emirates has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Crypto.com to explore ways to integrate Crypto.com Pay within its payments systems, while maintaining the highest security and compliance standards. Integration is expected to take effect next year.
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The agreements, formalized at Emirates Group Headquarters in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, pave the way for customers to pay for flights, in-flight services, and duty-free purchases using cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins. The integration of Crypto.com Pay into Emirates’ payment infrastructure is expected to roll out by the last quarter of 2025, with Dubai Duty Free following suit for both its physical stores at Dubai International Airport and its online platform.
Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized the airline’s commitment to meeting evolving customer preferences. Kazim said during the signing ceremony:
“Partnering with Crypto.com to integrate cryptocurrency into our digital payments system reflects Emirates’ commitment to meeting evolving customer preferences, in addition to tapping into younger, tech-savvy customer segments who prefer digital currencies...”
This move is designed to enhance flexibility and choice for Emirates’ global customer base, which spans 148 airports across 80 countries and territories from its Dubai hub.
Similarly, Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, highlighted the initiative’s alignment with changing consumer behaviours. With Dubai Duty Free reporting AED 4.118 billion (approximately $1.12 billion) in sales in the first half of 2025 the adoption of crypto payments is expected to attract tech-savvy, digitally fluent travelers, further boosting retail performance.
Crypto.com, a Singapore-based cryptocurrency platform founded in 2016, is one of the earliest and most prominent players in the digital asset space. Known for its wide range of services, including crypto trading, digital wallets, and blockchain-based financial products, Crypto.com has established itself as a trusted partner for businesses seeking to integrate cryptocurrency payments. The MoU with Emirates and Dubai Duty Free represents a significant milestone in Crypto.com’s mission to drive mainstream adoption of digital currencies.
Eric Anziani, President and Chief Operating Officer of Crypto.com, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership. The collaboration will include joint marketing campaigns and digital engagement initiatives to raise awareness and drive adoption of the new payment method once it goes live.
Mohammed Al Hakim, President of Crypto.com’s UAE operations, who signed the MoU alongside Kazim and Cidambi, emphasized the partnership’s alignment with Dubai’s broader digital transformation goals. Al Hakim said:
“This strategic move is in line with Dubai’s vision to be at the forefront of financial innovation while at the same time providing our customers with greater flexibility and choice in how they transact with Emirates,”
The Emirates and Dubai Duty Free partnerships with Crypto.com adds to the trend of cryptocurrency adoption in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has emerged as a global hub for digital finance. The UAE’s pro-innovation regulatory environment and clear guidelines from the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) have attracted over 650 crypto companies to the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) free zone, with more firms establishing operations in the Dubai International Financial Centre and One Central district.
In May 2025, VARA updated its guidelines to include provisions for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, providing a clear framework for issuers and exchanges to launch and trade tokenized assets, such as real estate. Lawyer Irina Heaver, speaking to Cointelegraph, noted that these rules position Dubai as a leader in blockchain-based financial innovation. The emirate’s Department of Finance also signed an MoU with Crypto.com in May 2025 to enable crypto payments for government services, further normalizing digital currencies in everyday transactions.
Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33, which aims to double the emirate’s economy by 2033, emphasizes tech-driven sectors like digital real estate and cashless transactions. The integration of crypto payments by Emirates and Dubai Duty Free aligns with this vision, supporting the emirate’s goal of achieving 90% cashless transactions by 2026. Industry experts predict that these initiatives could contribute to an economic boost of over $8 billion, reinforcing Dubai’s reputation as a global leader in digital finance.
While smaller airlines like Latvia’s airBaltic and Japan’s Peach Aviation have accepted cryptocurrency payments for years, Emirates’ adoption would make it the largest carrier to embrace digital currencies. The airline has been exploring crypto payments since 2022, but the partnership with Crypto.com marks a concrete step toward implementation. The integration process will involve feasibility studies to ensure technical reliability, regulatory compliance, and a seamless customer experience. The move is expected to set a precedent for the aviation and travel industries, potentially encouraging other major carriers to explore crypto payments.
The partnerships between Emirates, Dubai Duty Free, and Crypto.com is a bold step toward integrating blockchain technology into traditional industries. The offering of crypto payments by Emirates will attract a younger, tech-savvy demographic while enhancing the customer experience for its global traveler base. Dubai Duty Free’s adoption of digital currencies for both in-store and online purchases further amplifies the initiative’s impact, catering to the growing number of crypto users among international tourists.
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