In a groundbreaking move for the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed Sultan Al-Naimi Advocates and Legal Consultations has announced that it will now accept payments in cryptocurrency. The firm is the first in the UAE’s legal sector to embrace digital currency, allowing clients to pay legal fees using AE Coin, the country’s first Central Bank–regulated AED stablecoin.
This step marks another milestone in the UAE’s growing efforts to position itself as a global leader in financial technology and blockchain integration. Clients using the AEC Wallet can now make secure, transparent, and fully compliant payments for legal services, paving the way for greater adoption of digital assets in professional services.
Aligning with the Nation’s Digital Transformation Goals
The UAE government has been driving initiatives that embrace blockchain technology across multiple sectors, from real estate to aviation. The legal industry’s adoption of AE Coin is a reflection of this wider national push.
“As a forward-thinking legal firm, we are proud to align with national efforts to digitalize services across sectors,” said Mohammed Al Nuaimi, Founder of Mohammed Sultan Al-Naimi Advocates and Legal Consultations. “Accepting AE Coin enables us to offer our clients a seamless, transparent, and locally compliant payment option, setting a new standard for legal practice in the region.”
This move demonstrates how traditional sectors, often bound by conservative financial models, are beginning to adapt to digital transformation and client demands for modern solutions.
MBank’s Role in Powering AE Coin
The backbone of this transition lies with Al Maryah Community Bank (MBank), the UAE’s first fully digital bank. MBank has partnered with AE Coin as its primary banking and infrastructure provider, ensuring that all transactions are handled securely under a regulated framework.
“By embedding blockchain-powered financial solutions into everyday services, we aim to showcase how banking innovation can transform industries,” said Mohammed Wassim Khayata, CEO of MBank. “This partnership is a powerful example of how the banking and legal sectors can work together to drive innovation while upholding trust and compliance.”
MBank’s role in providing a regulatory safety net is significant, as it assures both businesses and individuals that digital transactions using AE Coin are as reliable and secure as traditional banking methods.
Expanding Use Cases for AE Coin in the UAE
The introduction of AE Coin into legal services is part of a wider trend across the Emirates. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) was the first government body in the Middle East to adopt AE Coin, allowing citizens to pay court and judicial service fees with the stablecoin. This pioneering step has since paved the way for other industries to follow suit.
Air Arabia, the region’s first and largest low-cost airline, also adopted AE Coin as a payment method for flight bookings, becoming the first airline in MENA to introduce a stablecoin-based option for travelers. These early use cases highlight the versatility of AE Coin and its ability to seamlessly integrate into both public and private services.
Ramez Rafeek, General Manager of AED stablecoin, described the Al-Naimi firm’s adoption as “a landmark use case” that signals the growing importance of digital payments in industries where compliance and trust are critical.
Why Stablecoins Matter
Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum, stablecoins are pegged to a local currency—in this case, the UAE Dirham (AED). This makes AE Coin particularly attractive for industries like legal services and aviation, where stability, predictability, and compliance are non-negotiable.
By offering a payment system that combines the efficiency of blockchain with the reliability of a fiat-backed currency, AE Coin bridges the gap between traditional banking and the digital economy. This ensures businesses can benefit from the speed of crypto transactions without facing risks tied to price fluctuations.
The UAE as a Hub for Digital Finance
The UAE has already positioned itself as a global hub for blockchain and crypto innovation. With a forward-looking regulatory environment, the country has attracted major global players in the fintech and digital assets space.
Recent developments, such as RAK Properties’ partnership with fintech firm HubPay to enable stablecoin-based transactions, show how diverse industries are exploring the potential of digital currencies. Together with government-led initiatives, these moves signal the UAE’s commitment to becoming one of the most crypto-friendly jurisdictions in the world.
Looking Ahead
The acceptance of AE Coin by Mohammed Sultan Al-Naimi Advocates is more than just a new payment method—it is a reflection of a broader cultural and economic shift in the region. As industries across the UAE continue to embrace blockchain-powered solutions, consumers and businesses alike can expect more efficient, transparent, and compliant systems to emerge.
The legal firm’s adoption of crypto payments not only aligns with the UAE’s national digital transformation strategy but also sets a precedent for other professional service providers to follow. With the infrastructure provided by MBank and the regulatory oversight of the Central Bank, AE Coin is poised to become a trusted vehicle for everyday financial transactions.
As the UAE builds momentum in digital finance, this development reinforces its position as a global leader in merging innovation with regulation. For clients seeking legal services, the option to pay with AE Coin is a glimpse into the future of professional services in a digital-first economy.
