Paying for your flight or duty-free shopping with cryptocurrency could soon be a reality in Dubai, as Emirates Airline and Dubai Duty Free have signed groundbreaking deals with digital asset giant Crypto.com.
Both companies formalized their intent through Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the platform to explore accepting crypto as a payment option — a major step in expanding Dubai’s digital innovation footprint.
Dubai Duty Free, which reported over AED 4.1 billion in sales during the first half of 2025, is looking to offer customers more payment flexibility both in-store and online. “This MoU underscores our commitment to innovation and to providing greater convenience and choice for our customers,” said Managing Director Ramesh Cidambi during the signing ceremony at Emirates Group Headquarters.
The agreement will kick off a joint feasibility study between Dubai Duty Free and Crypto.com, focusing on practical crypto payment solutions and digital customer engagement tools.
Meanwhile, Emirates Airline is preparing to integrate Crypto.com Pay into its systems by next year, which would allow passengers to pay for tickets and services using digital currencies. Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim said the plan supports Dubai’s broader tech-forward vision. “This reflects Emirates’ commitment to meeting evolving customer preferences while tapping into a new generation of digitally fluent users,” he noted.
The dual partnerships come on the heels of a similar deal between the Dubai Land Department and Crypto.com, aimed at enabling virtual real estate transactions through blockchain — part of the city’s drive to hit AED 1 trillion in real estate deals by 2033.
Eric Anziani, President and COO of Crypto.com, called the agreements a “real momentum” boost for the digital asset industry. “Integration with exceptional partners such as Emirates and Dubai Duty Free… supports Dubai’s broader vision for digital leadership,” he said.
While customers can’t pay in crypto just yet, both Emirates and Dubai Duty Free confirmed that the groundwork is underway, setting the stage for crypto’s real-world adoption in travel and retail.