Emirates, DubaiDutyFree and Crypto.com Partner for Digital Payments for Travellers

Emirates Airlines and Dubai Duty Free have joined forces with Crypto.com to revolutionize the travel experience in Dubai by introducing cryptocurrency payment solutions.

The groundbreaking partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims to enable digital asset payments in both physical stores and online platforms, targeting millions of international travelers passing through Dubai International Airport.

This collaboration is a significant step towards Dubai’s ambition to become a global innovation hub and leader in smart economies, as outlined in its D33 Agenda.

The President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and the CEO of Emirates Airline and Group explained that the advanced digital payment solutions aim to enhance the traveler experience from booking to retail, providing greater convenience and choice for customers.

The Details of the Partnership

The MoU encompasses strategic collaborations, including joint marketing campaigns and customer engagement programs, designed to leverage the strengths of both organizations. Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, emphasized that the integration of crypto payments will add significant value for the company’s diverse international customer base.

Eric Anziani, President and COO of Crypto.com, highlighted the partnership’s role in expanding everyday crypto use cases, stating it will “bring real momentum to the digital asset industry” while enabling both companies to offer genuine innovative finance solutions. With this, millions of users can now pay with cryptocurrency.

Emirates Move One Step Closer to Being Cashless

The partnership could further accelerate mainstream cryptocurrency adoption by demonstrating practical, everyday use cases that extend beyond current applications. With Dubai Duty Free serving millions of international travelers annually, the integration of crypto payments aims to enhance the travel experience and provide a more seamless payment process.

The UAE’s vision of achieving 90% cashless transactions by 2026 creates an ideal environment for the adoption of cryptocurrency payments, which could add significant value to the local economy.

Dubai Duty Free’s crypto integration aligns with the UAE’s digital transformation strategy, which has led to successful partnerships with Crypto.com for government service payments and Dubai’s Islamic Bank for Sharia-compliant products.

The timing is also in line with the growing global momentum for cryptocurrency payments in travel, as demonstrated by Bhutan’s new implementation of a national-level cryptocurrency tourism payment system in partnership with Binance Pay.