Emirates, the Dubai-based airline, has signed a preliminary agreement with Singapore’s Crypto.com to introduce cryptocurrency payment options for its customers starting in 2026. The announcement was reported by Reuters on Wednesday, 9 July.
The partnership aims to modernize Emirates’ payment infrastructure and attract younger, tech-savvy travelers who prefer using digital currencies. “This move reflects our commitment to innovation and customer convenience,” said Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates.
This development comes as the UAE continues to strengthen its position as a global crypto hub. In recent years, the country has launched several crypto-related initiatives across various sectors, including real estate, education, and transportation. In May 2025, Dubai-based carrier Air Arabia began accepting AE Coin, a UAE dirham-backed stablecoin, for flight bookings.
Further highlighting Dubai’s crypto momentum, Dubai Duty Free also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Crypto.com on the same day as Emirates. The MoU will allow travelers to make purchases using cryptocurrencies at the airport’s duty-free outlets, enhancing payment flexibility for millions of global passengers.
Dubai Duty Free recorded sales of approximately AED 4.1 billion in the first half of 2025. “This MoU underscores our commitment to innovation and to providing greater convenience and choice for our customers,” said Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, during the signing at Emirates Group Headquarters.
Dubai has also taken regulatory steps to support this growth. The city established the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in 2022, which oversees crypto operations in the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) — currently home to over 650 crypto firms.
With the Emirates-Crypto.com deal and growing adoption at the airport, Dubai is rapidly integrating cryptocurrency into its travel and retail ecosystem, aligning with its vision of becoming a global leader in digital finance.
