Emirates, the renowned international airline, has successfully integrated Crypto.com Pay into its digital payment system, allowing eligible UAE residents to book flights using the crypto payment solution via the airline’s mobile app and website. The launch comes exactly one year after the two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in July 2025, reflecting a swift execution driven by a supportive regulatory environment in the UAE.
Transactions through Crypto.com Pay are processed in Emirati Dirham (AED), with the service available to customers who have an account with Crypto.com. At checkout, users can select Crypto.com Pay, complete the payment using their wallet on a mobile device or by scanning a QR code on desktop, and receive instant confirmation along with an e‑ticket. The underlying settlement is handled by Crypto.com’s UAE entity, Foris DAX Middle East FZE, which holds a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) license from the Central Bank of the UAE, ensuring compliance with local regulations that only accept regulated AED stablecoins or fiat currency for payments.
Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, highlighted the collaboration as a credit to both teams and to a regulatory framework that fosters fintech innovation. Eric Anziani, President and COO of Crypto.com, called the partnership a testament to the UAE’s forward‑thinking approach. The initiative aligns with Dubai’s Cashless Strategy under the D33 Economic Agenda, which aims to digitize 90% of all financial transactions across public and private sectors by the end of 2026. Emirates now joins a small group of global airlines—airBaltic, Vueling, and Peach Aviation—that accept cryptocurrency payments.
