Travellers flying with Emirates will soon be able to pay for air tickets using cryptocurrency, thanks to a new partnership with Crypto.com. The agreement also extends to Dubai Duty Free, which plans to accept digital currency for both online and in-store purchases starting next year.
Emirates and Crypto.com Partner on Digital Payments
Emirates signed an agreement with Crypto.com to enable crypto-based payments for its services. The integration is expected to launch in 2026, offering passengers more choice and convenience.
“Partnering with Crypto.com to integrate cryptocurrency into our digital payments system reflects Emirates’ commitment to meeting evolving customer preferences, in addition to tapping into younger, tech-savvy customer segments who prefer digital currencies,” said Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer.
He added that this shift will provide “greater flexibility and choice in how [passengers] transact with Emirates.”
Crypto.com’s President and COO, Eric Anziani, added, “As we continue to expand the everyday use case for crypto, integration with exceptional partners such as Emirates will bring real momentum to the digital asset industry and enable both companies to offer genuine innovative finance solutions for our customers.”
Dubai Duty Free to Offer Crypto Transactions In-Store and Online
Alongside Emirates, Dubai Duty Free signed a separate agreement with Crypto.com to introduce crypto payments for its international customers. The initiative will apply to both physical retail and e-commerce platforms, broadening payment options for global travellers.
“As a global hub welcoming millions of travellers, Dubai Duty Free continually seeks to enhance the retail experience. We believe that embracing digital currency payments, such as cryptocurrency, is a forward-looking step that will add significant value for our diverse customer base and support our vision for sustained growth,” said Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free.
Dubai Duty Free recorded a turnover of AED 4.118 billion in the first half of 2025, reflecting a 5.34% increase over the same period last year.
Eric Anziani echoed his earlier sentiment, stating, “Integration with exceptional partners such as Dubai Duty Free will bring real momentum to the digital asset industry.”
Pushing Crypto Adoption Through Strategic Innovation
The new partnerships aim to fuel broader crypto adoption in the region. Emirates and Dubai Duty Free will also explore co-branded marketing campaigns and customer engagement programmes to build awareness and ease the transition to digital payments.
At the agreement signing ceremony, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, was joined by Michael Doersam, Emirates’ Chief Financial & Group Services Officer; Adnan Kazim; and Mohammed Al Hakim, President of Crypto.com’s UAE operations.
Across the UAE, cryptocurrency is becoming increasingly mainstream. Several real estate developers now accept digital currencies for property transactions, signalling a wider shift toward financial innovation across sectors.
