Dubai Duty Free becomes first Middle East airport retailer to accept regulated crypto payments via Crypto.com Pay, exclusive to UAE residents, as part of Dubai's cashless strategy.
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Dubai Duty Free has started accepting regulated cryptocurrency payments through Crypto.com Pay at Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport, plus its online store. The retailer is the first in the Middle East to offer a regulated crypto payment option at the point of sale.
The service is open only to eligible UAE residents. A customer selects Crypto.com Pay at checkout, scans a QR code with the Crypto.com app, and authorizes the transaction. Dubai Duty Free receives settlement in UAE dirhams through Crypto.com's payment infrastructure.
The rollout follows a memorandum of understanding signed in July 2025. Crypto.com holds a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) licence from the Central Bank of the UAE, making it the first Virtual Asset Service Provider in the country to receive that licence. The central bank regulates the payment system.
Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, said the launch builds on the MoU and reinforces the company's commitment to digital payment innovation. He tied it to Dubai's vision of becoming a global leader in digital commerce.
Eric Anziani, President and COO of Crypto.com, said the collaboration gives customers a secure, seamless experience while merchants get immediate settlement in dirhams. He called Dubai Duty Free one of the world's most recognised travel retail brands.
“Dubai Duty Free is one of the world’s most recognised travel retail brands and one of the largest single airport duty free operators globally. The launch of Crypto.com Pay™ marks another important milestone in expanding regulated digital payment solutions for everyday commerce. Customers benefit from a secure and seamless payment experience through Crypto.com Pay™, while merchants receive immediate settlement in UAE Dirhams (AED). This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to delivering innovative payment experiences while supporting Dubai’s ambition to lead the future of digital commerce.”
The integration works across in-store, online, and mobile channels. In-store, the POS system generates a unique QR code for the purchase amount. On the website, the customer scans a QR code from the checkout page. On mobile, the app redirects the user to Crypto.com to approve the transaction.
Crypto.com Pay joins existing payment options at Dubai Duty Free including Apple Pay, Alipay, and TerraPay. The launch forms part of the Dubai Cashless Strategy under the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which targets 90% of financial transactions across the public and private sectors becoming cashless by the end of 2026.
The move gives crypto a foothold in a high-traffic retail environment. Dubai International Airport handled roughly 87 million passengers in 2024, making it one of the busiest airports globally. For Crypto.com, the partnership provides a real-world use case for its regulated payment product outside of crypto-native merchants. For Dubai Duty Free, it adds a payment method that aligns with the emirate's push to attract tech-savvy travellers and reduce cash handling.
Other airport retailers in the region have not yet announced similar integrations. The regulatory clarity from the Central Bank's SVF licence could encourage more merchants to adopt regulated crypto payments, especially if the Dubai Cashless Strategy deadline creates pressure to add digital options.
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