Emirates has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Crypto.com to explore the integration of Crypto.com Pay within its payment systems, while upholding the highest standards of security and compliance. This integration is anticipated to take effect next year, according to a statement.
The MoU was signed in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline & Group, and Michael Doersam, Emirates’ chief financial & group services officer, by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer, along with Mohammed Al Hakim, president of Crypto.com’s UAE operations.
Adnan Kazim stated: “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. This strategic move is in line with Dubai’s vision to be at the forefront of financial innovation while at the same time providing our customers with greater flexibility and choice in how they transact with Emirates.”
“We’re delighted to complete the signing of this important MoU with Emirates Airline. 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. We look forward to working together as we continue to build our crypto offering in the GCC,” said Eric Anziani, president and COO of Crypto.com.
Dubai’s emergence as a cryptocurrency hub
In addition to exploring the integration of Crypto.com Pay, Emirates and Crypto.com will also investigate leveraging promotional marketing campaigns to create awareness and encourage the adoption of this new payment solution.
This latest partnership comes as Dubai positions itself as a global cryptocurrency hub, supported by a robust ecosystem and a sophisticated regulatory framework designed to foster innovation while ensuring investor protection and financial stability. Many Dubai companies are already accepting cryptocurrency as a form of payment, ranging from real estate developers to major telecoms.
In June 2025, Economy Middle East reported that Dubai-based Emirates made the list of the world’s ten best airlines for 2025 in the latest Skytrax rankings. The awards were presented at the Paris Air Show, held at the Musée de l’Air et de l’Espace in Paris, France.
Also in June, Emirates served over 1.7 million passengers on more than 5,800 flights across its global network, maintaining scheduled services by rerouting flights to avoid conflict zones as tensions in the Middle East escalated.
DLD’s MoC with Crypto.com
In a similar initiative to incorporate crypto payments, the Dubai Land Department (DLD) recently signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) with Crypto.com to establish a digital investment environment for virtual real estate assets and to explore the application of blockchain technologies and digital currencies within the sector.
The signing of the MoC follows the announcement of the Dubai Government’s plans to enable the payment of government fees using digital currencies—an important step forward in integrating technology with public services and reinforcing the emirate’s leadership in government innovation. This collaboration aims to develop mechanisms that support digital real estate transactions by leveraging blockchain technologies and virtual assets, while also examining the potential use of digital currencies in property transactions. The initiative seeks to enhance market liquidity and align with modern trends in smart investment. Additionally, the partnership aspires to create an integrated digital ecosystem that facilitates real estate asset trading, investor verification, and the execution of digital custody and settlement processes within a secure and advanced framework.
