Emirates Partners with Crypto.com to Integrate Crypto Payments

Emirates Airlines has just joined forces with Crypto.com to introduce cryptocurrency payments solutions across Dubai's travel ecosystem.

Both entities signed a Memorandum of Understanding, effectively agreeing to incorporate Crypto.com Pay in both physical stores and online platforms, targeting millions of international travelers passing through Dubai International Airport.

The integration is expected to launch next year, marking a significant step in the airline’s efforts to enhance payment flexibility and embrace digital innovation.

Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, and Mohammed Al Hakim, President of UAE Operations at Crypto.com, officially signed the partnership agreement at Emirates Headquarters, witnessed by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, according to the press release.

Adnan Kazim emphasized that this initiative aligns with Dubai’s vision of financial innovation and aims to provide Emirates customers with greater flexibility and choice in their transactions.

Beyond payment integration, Emirates and Crypto.com plan to collaborate on marketing campaigns to boost awareness and drive adoption once the service is live.

Crypto.com Pay Integration Timeline and Details

A spokesperson for Crypto.com confirmed that the integration is scheduled for the last quarter of 2025. The initial phase will focus on technical readiness, compliance, and optimizing the customer experience.

Emirates and Crypto.com will also decide if they want to launch the service only on selected routes, or globally, with pilot phases planned before a full rollout.

Crypto payments made by customers will be instantly converted to UAE dirhams (AED) at real-time exchange rates during the transaction.

Emirates will not retain any cryptocurrency on its balance sheet, with all settlements occurring in AED to ensure compliance and minimize foreign exchange risk.

Crypto.com also revealed ongoing efforts to expand its payment solutions to other regional and international airlines as part of a broader strategy to create a seamless, secure, and compliant crypto payment ecosystem across travel, retail, and hospitality sectors.

Dubai’s Growing Leadership in Crypto Adoption

This partnership comes as Dubai continues to position itself as a global hub for blockchain and digital assets.

The emirate’s clear regulatory framework and pro-innovation stance have already attracted significant crypto activity across various sectors, including real estate and telecommunications.

Earlier this year, Tether teamed up with UAE-based Reelly Tech to enable property purchases using the USDt stablecoin, allowing buyers to transact through a network of 30,000 Reelly Tech agents worldwide.

In June, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) approved Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin for use within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), further expanding the city’s virtual asset ecosystem.

The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre free zone has become home to over 600 crypto companies, with many more establishing a presence in the DIFC and One Central district, reinforcing Dubai’s leadership in digital finance.

Real Estate and Tokenization Boom

Dubai’s real estate market has experienced unprecedented growth, driven by the city's embrace of real estate tokenization.

Sales in May reached 66.8 billion dirhams (about $18.2 billion) across 18,700 transactions—a 44% year-on-year increase.

On May 19, Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority updated its guidelines to include provisions for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, providing clear regulatory pathways for issuers and exchanges to launch and trade tokenized real estate assets.

Lawyer Irina Heaver applauded the introduction, saying these rules give issuers and exchanges a clear path to launch and trade tokenized real estate assets.