Blab Crypto
Emirates Launches Crypto.com Pay for Flight Bookings in UAE
Emirates has activated a new digital payment pathway that lets qualifying customers settle flight bookings with cryptocurrency via Crypto.com Pay. The feature is now live on the airline’s website and mobile application, giving travellers an additional method beyond traditional cards and transfers.
The service is restricted to eligible UAE residents and applies only to bookings priced and settled in Emirati dirhams. Users who hold a Crypto.com account can choose the option during the checkout process.
All transactions are handled securely and in line with UAE regulatory requirements.
This development puts into practice a collaboration first outlined in a July 2025 memorandum of understanding between the two organisations, which aimed to incorporate Crypto.com Pay into Emirates’ digital payment infrastructure.
Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, described the rollout as a response to shifting customer expectations. He noted that the initiative expands payment flexibility and aligns with the habits of a younger, digitally oriented demographic that handles finances and travel planning largely through smartphones. Kazim also highlighted the relatively swift progress from agreement to launch, attributing it to coordinated efforts by both teams and a regulatory setting that encourages such advances, consistent with broader UAE and Dubai goals in fintech and the digital economy.
Eric Anziani, President and Chief Operating Officer at Crypto.com, characterised the partnership as a significant step for the company’s payment tool. He pointed to the platform’s reputation for straightforward use and smooth integration, and framed the collaboration as evidence of the UAE’s progressive stance on innovation. Crypto.com is pleased to assist Emirates in adopting more digital payment capabilities.
The technical foundation relies on Crypto.com’s Dubai operation, which was the first virtual asset service provider to receive a Stored Value Facilities licence from the Central Bank of the UAE. It functions within that regulatory framework.
Payment flows differ by device. On the Emirates App, selecting Crypto.com Pay redirects the customer to the Crypto.com application to authorise the transfer from their wallet. Once completed, the user returns to the Emirates App to obtain the booking confirmation and electronic ticket. On a desktop browser at emirates.com, the customer selects the option, scans a displayed QR code with the Crypto.com app, and approves the payment there. Confirmation and the e-ticket then appear on screen.
The introduction supports Dubai’s Cashless Strategy under the D33 Economic Agenda, which seeks to shift 90 percent of financial transactions in both government and private sectors to digital formats by the close of 2026. It also builds on earlier Emirates cooperation with Dubai Finance focused on advancing digital payments, as well as Crypto.com’s related work enabling digital payments for certain government services.
By adding this channel, Emirates offers greater convenience to customers already active in digital assets while reinforcing its position among carriers adapting to modern payment preferences. The option remains limited to the specified eligibility criteria for now, reflecting a measured approach that prioritises compliance and controlled rollout.
The move follows a July 2025 memorandum of understanding that outlined the integration of Crypto.com Pay into Emirates’ payment systems. The partnership was designed to meet the UAE’s regulatory standards, with Crypto.com’s Dubai operation holding a Stored Value Facilities licence from the Central Bank of the UAE. The service is available only to customers who hold a Crypto.com account and who are residents of the UAE, reflecting a cautious rollout that prioritises compliance.
The feature is expected to attract a segment of travelers who prefer digital assets, though overall uptake will depend on the number of eligible users.
The service is restricted to eligible UAE residents and applies only to bookings priced and settled in Emirati dirhams. Users who hold a Crypto.com account can choose the option during the checkout process.
All transactions are handled securely and in line with UAE regulatory requirements.
This development puts into practice a collaboration first outlined in a July 2025 memorandum of understanding between the two organisations, which aimed to incorporate Crypto.com Pay into Emirates’ digital payment infrastructure.
Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, described the rollout as a response to shifting customer expectations. He noted that the initiative expands payment flexibility and aligns with the habits of a younger, digitally oriented demographic that handles finances and travel planning largely through smartphones. Kazim also highlighted the relatively swift progress from agreement to launch, attributing it to coordinated efforts by both teams and a regulatory setting that encourages such advances, consistent with broader UAE and Dubai goals in fintech and the digital economy.
Eric Anziani, President and Chief Operating Officer at Crypto.com, characterised the partnership as a significant step for the company’s payment tool. He pointed to the platform’s reputation for straightforward use and smooth integration, and framed the collaboration as evidence of the UAE’s progressive stance on innovation. Crypto.com is pleased to assist Emirates in adopting more digital payment capabilities.
The technical foundation relies on Crypto.com’s Dubai operation, which was the first virtual asset service provider to receive a Stored Value Facilities licence from the Central Bank of the UAE. It functions within that regulatory framework.
Payment flows differ by device. On the Emirates App, selecting Crypto.com Pay redirects the customer to the Crypto.com application to authorise the transfer from their wallet. Once completed, the user returns to the Emirates App to obtain the booking confirmation and electronic ticket. On a desktop browser at emirates.com, the customer selects the option, scans a displayed QR code with the Crypto.com app, and approves the payment there. Confirmation and the e-ticket then appear on screen.
The introduction supports Dubai’s Cashless Strategy under the D33 Economic Agenda, which seeks to shift 90 percent of financial transactions in both government and private sectors to digital formats by the close of 2026. It also builds on earlier Emirates cooperation with Dubai Finance focused on advancing digital payments, as well as Crypto.com’s related work enabling digital payments for certain government services.
By adding this channel, Emirates offers greater convenience to customers already active in digital assets while reinforcing its position among carriers adapting to modern payment preferences. The option remains limited to the specified eligibility criteria for now, reflecting a measured approach that prioritises compliance and controlled rollout.
The move follows a July 2025 memorandum of understanding that outlined the integration of Crypto.com Pay into Emirates’ payment systems. The partnership was designed to meet the UAE’s regulatory standards, with Crypto.com’s Dubai operation holding a Stored Value Facilities licence from the Central Bank of the UAE. The service is available only to customers who hold a Crypto.com account and who are residents of the UAE, reflecting a cautious rollout that prioritises compliance.
The feature is expected to attract a segment of travelers who prefer digital assets, though overall uptake will depend on the number of eligible users.
