Emirates Partners With Crypto.com to Launch Crypto Payment Integration

     

Airline to Roll Out Digital Asset Payments and Joint Campaigns With Crypto.com

Emirates Airline has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Crypto.com to introduce cryptocurrency payment options for customers through the Crypto.com Pay platform, with implementation expected to begin in 2025.

The agreement was signed in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline & Group, and marks a significant step in aligning with Dubai’s broader vision for financial innovation.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer, and Mohammed Al Hakim, president of Crypto.com’s UAE division, represented their respective organizations during the signing.

“This strategic move reflects Dubai’s commitment to being at the forefront of financial innovation and gives our customers greater flexibility in how they transact with us,” Kazim said.

In addition to integrating crypto payments, Emirates and Crypto.com will jointly run promotional campaigns to raise awareness and encourage user engagement when the service goes live.

Crypto Payment System Set for Late 2025 Launch

A Crypto.com spokesperson confirmed to Cointelegraph that the payment integration is scheduled for rollout in the final quarter of 2025. The early stages will focus on technical setup, regulatory compliance, and optimizing user experience.

The companies are evaluating whether to initiate the rollout across specific flight routes, regions, or as a global launch. Pilot phases are expected before broader implementation.

Crypto.com clarified that all crypto payments will be instantly converted into fiat currency (AED) at real-time exchange rates. Emirates will not retain any digital assets on its books, ensuring that all settlements are made in AED and remain fully compliant with local regulations.

The firm also revealed ongoing efforts to expand crypto payments across the broader travel and hospitality sectors. “Our vision is to create a global crypto travel infrastructure that supports seamless, secure, and compliant payments for travelers,” said the spokesperson.

Emirates Joins Dubai’s Crypto-Friendly Transformation

The initiative comes as Dubai accelerates its ambition to become a global leader in blockchain innovation and digital finance. The city’s regulatory clarity and tech-forward ecosystem have enabled industries such as real estate and telecommunications to adopt crypto-based payment models.

In March, Tether collaborated with UAE-based Reelly Tech to enable property purchases using USDT stablecoin through a global network of 30,000 agents.

Last month, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) approved Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin for use within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), granting companies the ability to offer services involving virtual assets.

Dubai’s crypto-friendly environment has attracted over 600 blockchain and Web3 firms to the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, with additional growth seen in areas such as DIFC and One Central.

Dubai’s Real Estate Sector Surges With Web3 Momentum

Dubai’s real estate market achieved record growth in May, recording 18,700 transactions valued at 66.8 billion dirhams ($18.2 billion) — a 44% increase year-over-year.

The surge coincides with major real-world asset (RWA) tokenization efforts. Notably, a $3 billion partnership between MultiBank Group, property developer MAG, and blockchain firm Mavryk was announced in May to tokenize real estate assets.

On May 19, Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) updated its rulebook to include guidelines for RWA tokenization. Legal expert Irina Heaver said the updated framework provides clarity for both issuers and exchanges seeking to bring tokenized real estate products to market.