Dubai Duty Free has officially introduced cryptocurrency as a payment option, allowing eligible customers to pay for purchases using their Crypto Pay accounts at checkout across its retail outlets and online platform.
The new payment service is available at Dubai International Airport (DXB), Al Maktoum International Airport (AMIA), and through Dubai Duty Free’s e-commerce website. Customers shopping in-store can complete transactions by scanning a unique QR code generated through their Crypto Pay account, while mobile shoppers will be redirected to the Crypto app to review and approve payments before checkout.
The integration has been designed to fit seamlessly into Dubai Duty Free’s existing payment system. Although customers pay using cryptocurrency, the retailer receives settlements in UAE Dirhams (AED) through a regulated payment infrastructure, ensuring secure and compliant processing.
The launch follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Dubai Duty Free and Crypto in July 2025 to explore blockchain-powered payment technologies and wider digital innovation opportunities.
The cryptocurrency payment option expands Dubai Duty Free’s portfolio of digital payment methods, joining existing services such as Apple Pay, Alipay, and TerraPay. The move reflects the retailer’s continued focus on enhancing customer convenience through advanced payment technologies.
The initiative also aligns with the Dubai Cashless Strategy under the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to make 90% of financial transactions across the emirate’s public and private sectors cashless by the end of 2026.
Commenting on the launch, Dubai Duty Free Managing Director Ramesh Cidambi said the new payment solution will provide customers with greater convenience through innovative digital payment options. Crypto President and Chief Operating Officer Eric Anziani described Dubai Duty Free as one of the world’s leading travel retail brands and welcomed the partnership as another step toward expanding the use of digital assets in everyday commerce.
