Emirates Teams Up with Crypto.com to Launch Crypto Payments by 2025
Emirates, one of the world’s leading airlines, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with digital asset platform Crypto.com to enable cryptocurrency payments for flights and services. The agreement marks a major step toward integrating blockchain technology into the global travel industry, with implementation expected by the end of 2025.
The announcement was made during a signing ceremony attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group. The MoU was formalized by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, and Mohammed Al Hakim, President of Crypto.com’s UAE operations.
Kazim said the move aligns with Dubai’s broader strategy to be a global leader in financial innovation.
“This strategic move is in line with Dubai’s vision to be at the forefront of financial innovation while at the same time providing our customers with greater flexibility and choice in how they transact with Emirates,” he said.
Crypto Payments Coming to the Skies
The partnership will introduce Crypto.com Pay into Emirates’ payment infrastructure, allowing customers to use cryptocurrency at checkout. According to Crypto.com, the integration is scheduled for rollout in Q4 2025.
In its initial phase, the focus will be on ensuring technical readiness, regulatory compliance, and a smooth user experience. Emirates will not hold cryptocurrency directly; all payments will be instantly converted to the local currency, UAE dirhams (AED), using real-time exchange rates. This approach ensures the airline remains compliant and avoids foreign exchange exposure.
Details on the launch strategy are still being finalized. The companies are considering whether to begin with specific routes or markets before scaling globally. A pilot phase is likely before a full rollout.
Joint Promotions and Industry Expansion
In addition to payments, Emirates and Crypto.com plan to launch promotional campaigns to encourage customer adoption and raise awareness. The partnership is part of a broader effort by Crypto.com to expand its footprint in the travel and hospitality sectors.
“The goal is to build a universal crypto travel layer bringing seamless, secure, and compliant payment experiences to travelers across air, retail and hospitality sectors,” a Crypto.com spokesperson said.
Dubai’s Growing Crypto Ecosystem
The Emirates-Crypto.com partnership reflects a larger trend in Dubai, which is positioning itself as a global hub for blockchain and digital assets. A combination of regulatory clarity and government support has attracted a wave of crypto-related activity across industries.
Dubai’s financial regulators have made notable moves to support virtual assets. Recently, the Dubai Financial Services Authority approved the RLUSD stablecoin from Ripple for use in the Dubai International Financial Centre. Meanwhile, over 600 crypto companies now operate within the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre.
In real estate, the city is seeing a boom in both sales and blockchain adoption. May 2025 saw record-breaking real estate transactions totaling nearly $18.2 billion. Industry players have launched several tokenization initiatives, with government backing and updated rules from Dubai’s Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority to support real-world asset (RWA) tokenization.
A Forward-Looking Move for Global Travelers
Emirates' partnership with Crypto.com signals a broader shift in how global airlines and travel companies are thinking about payments. As digital assets gain traction, the integration of crypto into mainstream travel services could become a competitive differentiator.
By offering travelers more payment options—while staying compliant with financial regulations—Emirates is aligning with Dubai’s innovation-driven strategy and preparing for the future of commerce.