Emirates Accepts Cryptocurrency Payments for Flight Bookings
Emirates, one of the world's largest airlines, has become the first airline in the Gulf to accept cryptocurrency payments for flight bookings. The carrier has integrated the Crypto.com Pay system into its official website and app, allowing eligible residents of the UAE with a Crypto.com account to pay for tickets priced in Emirati Dirham (AED) using digital assets.
The move supports Dubai's cashless strategy under the D33 Economic Agenda, which aims to make 90% of all financial transactions across government and private sectors digital by the end of 2026. The Crypto.com Pay system is powered by Crypto.com's Dubai-based entity, a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) granted a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) licence by the Central Bank of the UAE.
Adnan Kazim, Emirates' Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, said that the launch reflects 'the rapidly evolving preferences of a younger, digitally fluent generation'. Eric Anziani, President and Chief Operating Officer at Crypto.com, added that the collaboration is 'a testament to the UAE's forward-thinking approach to innovation.'