Dubai Duty Free, Emirates Airline Join Crypto.com to Enable Crypto Payments

Emirates Airline has signed an MoU with Crypto.com to integrate Crypto.com Pay as a payment option for its customers. This partnership aims to provide passengers with the flexibility to use cryptocurrencies for booking flights and other services, reflecting the airline's commitment to innovation and customer convenience.

The agreement was formalized at the Emirates Group Headquarters, with representatives from both organizations present. The MoU was signed by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, and Mohammed Al Hakim, President of Crypto.com’s UAE operations, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, along with Michael Doersam, Emirates’ Chief Financial & Group Services Officer.

Adnan Kazim highlighted the strategic importance of the agreement with Crypto.com, emphasizing its alignment with both customer expectations and Dubai’s broader innovation agenda. “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.”

Eric Anziani, President and COO of Crypto.com, welcomed the new partnership with Emirates Airline, pointing to its potential to accelerate crypto adoption across the region. “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 Anziani.

In addition to assessing the integration of Crypto.com Pay, Emirates and Crypto.com will collaborate on promotional marketing initiatives aimed at raising awareness and driving adoption of the new payment solution.

In a parallel development, Dubai Duty Free, one of the world's leading airport retailers, has entered into an MoU with Crypto.com to investigate the feasibility of accepting cryptocurrency payments both in-store and online. The agreement outlines a strategic collaboration to assess the integration of Crypto.com Pay, a payment solution that enables customers to transact using various cryptocurrencies.

The MoU was signed at the Emirates Group Headquarters by Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, and Mohammed Al Hakim, President of UAE Operations at Crypto.com. The signing ceremony was attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free, underscoring the importance of this initiative.

Ramesh Cidambi shared his thoughts on the signing of the MoU, highlighting the company's focus on innovation and customer experience. “This MoU underscores our commitment to innovation and to providing greater convenience and choice for our customers. 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.”

These partnerships align with the United Arab Emirates' broader strategy to position itself as a global hub for blockchain and cryptocurrency innovation. By embracing digital currencies in key sectors such as travel retail and aviation, the UAE demonstrates its commitment to fostering a progressive and technologically advanced economy.

The integration of cryptocurrency payment options by prominent entities like Dubai Duty Free and Emirates Airline not only enhances customer experience but also sets a precedent for other organizations in the region to explore similar initiatives.

As the UAE continues to invest in digital infrastructure and regulatory frameworks to support blockchain technologies, these collaborations with Crypto.com represent tangible steps toward a more inclusive and diversified financial ecosystem.

The successful implementation of cryptocurrency payments in these high-profile sectors could pave the way for broader adoption across various industries, reinforcing the UAE's status as a leader in digital innovation.

The MoUs signed between Dubai Duty Free, Emirates Airline, and Crypto.com mark a significant milestone in the integration of cryptocurrency payments within the UAE's travel and retail sectors. These partnerships reflect a shared vision of embracing technological advancements to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.