Emirates to Accept Crypto Payments in Landmark Deal

Dubai’s flagship carrier Emirates Airlines is entering the crypto space and it could change how you book your next flight.

Emirates has signed a preliminary agreement with global trading platform Crypto.com, allowing customers to pay for tickets using cryptocurrency starting next year, the airline’s parent company announced on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

The move aims to attract younger, tech-savvy travelers who prefer digital assets over traditional currency, according to Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer.

“This partnership aligns with our vision to offer seamless, cutting-edge payment options to our global customer base,” Kazim said.

The deal marks a bold step into the future of finance for Emirates, one of the world’s largest airlines.

It also signals growing confidence in crypto infrastructure within the United Arab Emirates, which has quickly become a regional hub for digital assets.

UAE’s Crypto Ecosystem on the Rise

Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), established in 2022, has helped shape a favorable regulatory landscape.

The city’s Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) now hosts over 650 registered crypto firms.

Crypto payments are already accepted in UAE sectors like real estate, education, and transportation, showing how mainstream digital currencies are becoming across the Emirates.

Airlines Warming Up to Crypto

Emirates isn’t the first airline in the Gulf to experiment with cryptocurrency.

In May, Air Arabia, listed on the Dubai Financial Market, began accepting AE Coin a UAE dirham-backed stablecoin for flight bookings.

Though still in its early stages, the Emirates-Crypto.com partnership could redefine digital payments in aviation, especially as more travelers demand faster, borderless, and decentralized options.

With crypto adoption on the rise and global aviation recovering post-pandemic, Emirates’ decision may soon become a new industry norm.

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