Emirates to Enable Crypto Payments via Crypto.com

The airline Emirates will begin accepting cryptocurrency for ticket payments. The technical integration of the Crypto.com Pay solution is scheduled for late 2025. The partnership agreement was signed in the presence of Emirates Group Chairman Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.

Expansion of Crypto Payments in UAE’s Public and Transport Sectors

The integration with Crypto.com expands the use of crypto payments in the UAE’s transportation and public sectors. Earlier in May, Dubai authorities signed a separate memorandum with the platform, allowing citizens to pay for public services using cryptocurrency.

Transition to Crypto Without Risk

According to both parties, Emirates will not hold any digital assets directly: all crypto payments will be automatically converted into UAE dirhams at the current exchange rate. This mechanism shields the company from crypto volatility and ensures compliance with local regulatory requirements. The first phase of the project includes infrastructure setup, compliance checks, and user experience optimization.

It remains undecided whether the rollout will begin with select destinations or apply to the airline’s global network. A regional pilot launch is being considered, followed by broader implementation.

New Initiatives Amid Record Demand

Emirates’ move to adopt crypto payments aligns with Dubai’s broader strategy to position itself as a global crypto hub. Since 2023, major sectors of the economy - from telecommunications to real estate developers - have started accepting crypto.

In 2024, Tether partnered with Reelly Tech, enabling real estate purchases using USDT through 30,000 company agents. In June, the DIFC regulator approved Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin for transactions within the free zone. By May, the number of crypto companies in the DMCC zone surpassed 600.

Real Estate Market on the Rise

Dubai recorded all-time high property sales in May 2025, totaling AED 66.8 billion ($18.2 billion) across 18,700 transactions. That’s a 44% increase compared to 2024. The surge is driven by rapid digitalization and growing interest in tokenized real-world assets (RWA).

One of the largest developments was a $3 billion real estate tokenization deal involving MultiBank Group, MAG, and blockchain company Mavryk. At the same time, the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) introduced regulations covering tokenization, enabling the legal issuance and trading of real estate-backed digital assets.

Cryptocurrency to Become an Alternative Payment Option

Previously, during the Dubai FinTech Summit, Dubai authorities and Crypto.com also signed a memorandum of understanding to enable crypto payments for government fees. The agreement was signed by Ahmad Ali Meftah, Executive Director of the Central Accounting Department, and Mohammed Al Hakim, President of Crypto.com UAE.

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