Emirates has introduced Crypto.com Pay as a new payment option, allowing eligible customers in the UAE to pay for flight bookings using the digital payment service through the airline’s website and mobile application.
The launch follows a memorandum of understanding signed by Emirates and Crypto.com in July 2025 to integrate cryptocurrency-based payment services into the airline’s digital payment ecosystem. The rollout completes that initiative, expanding payment flexibility for travellers.
Customers with a Crypto.com account can now choose the service during checkout for bookings priced and settled in UAE dirhams. Transactions are processed in accordance with the UAE’s regulatory requirements.
The payment integration is managed through Crypto.com’s Dubai-based entity, which operates under a Stored Value Facilities licence issued by the Central Bank of the UAE. The company says it is the first virtual asset service provider to secure the licence, enabling it to offer payment services within the country’s regulatory framework.
The move also aligns with Dubai’s broader cashless agenda under the Dubai Economic Agenda, which targets 90% of public and private sector transactions being conducted digitally by the end of 2026.
Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer at Emirates, said the launch reinforces the airline’s commitment to providing customers with greater choice and flexibility as payment preferences continue to evolve. He noted that digitally focused travellers increasingly expect seamless booking experiences across mobile and online platforms.
Kazim added that the transition from signing the partnership agreement to launching the service within a year demonstrates the ability of both companies to execute quickly, while highlighting Dubai’s supportive regulatory environment for financial technology innovation.
Eric Anziani, President and Chief Operating Officer of Crypto.com, described the partnership as an important milestone for the company’s payment platform and said it reflects the UAE’s continued support for innovation in digital finance.
Mohammed Al Hakim, President and General Manager for the region at Crypto.com, said the rollout represents the successful completion of months of collaboration between the two companies, transforming last year’s agreement into a live payment solution for customers.
