Dubai’s Emirates and Duty-Free Giant to Accept Crypto Payments

Travelers passing through Dubai and residents of the UAE will soon have a new way to pay for flights and duty-free shopping: cryptocurrency. This development comes after flagship airline Emirates and retail giant Dubai Duty Free signed separate agreements with the international crypto platform Crypto.com.

Dubai Duty Free, which reported over AED 4.1 billion (approx. USD 1.12 billion) in revenue for the first half of 2025, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Crypto.com. The partnership will explore accepting cryptocurrency payments both in physical stores and online. This initiative aims to offer tourists greater payment flexibility and reflects shifting preferences among global travelers. The collaboration involves joint research to develop crypto payment solutions, alongside launching marketing campaigns and digital tools to enhance customer convenience.

Joining the digital wave, Emirates airline has signed a similar agreement. The carrier plans to integrate the Crypto.com Pay system into its booking and payment platforms starting next year. This integration will allow passengers to use cryptocurrency to purchase tickets and pay for airline services. Emirates’ Executive Vice President, Adnan Kazim, stated this move aligns with Dubai’s strategy to adopt cutting-edge technologies and attract a younger, tech-savvy generation of travelers.

This push towards crypto payments builds upon Dubai’s broader ambitions. Notably, the Dubai Land Department recently partnered with Crypto.com to create a blockchain ecosystem for virtual real estate transactions, supporting the emirate’s goal of achieving AED 1 trillion in real estate transactions by 2033. The government already permits digital currency payments for official fees, further embedding crypto into everyday transactions.

Crypto.com CEO Eric Anziani emphasized that partnering with Emirates and Dubai Duty Free will significantly accelerate the real-world use of cryptocurrency in the region. While the implementation is currently in the exploration phase, both companies confirmed active work is underway to realize the project. Dubai continues its confident stride towards becoming a leading global hub for future digital finance technologies.