Emirates passengers in the UAE can now book flights using Crypto.com Pay. The integration runs through Crypto.com's Dubai entity, which holds a Central Bank SVF licence.
Crypto.com account holders in the UAE can now pay for Emirates flights directly through the airline's website and app.
Emirates, one of the largest Gulf carriers, has begun accepting payments through Crypto.com Pay for flight bookings in the UAE. The rollout implements a partnership first outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Emirates and Crypto.com in July 2025. The service applies only to UAE residents for bookings priced and settled in UAE Dirham (AED).
Under the new system, customers with a Crypto.com account can select Crypto.com Pay at checkout on emirates.com and the Emirates App. Transactions are processed in compliance with UAE regulatory standards. On mobile, users booking through the Emirates App are redirected to the Crypto.com app to complete payment from their wallet, then returned to Emirates to receive their booking confirmation and e-ticket. Desktop users can complete transactions by scanning a QR code displayed during checkout and approving the payment within the Crypto.com app.
Emirates framed the launch as part of a broader effort to expand payment flexibility and cater to digitally native consumers. “Bringing this initiative to life delivers on our commitment to expanding customer choice in how they pay for travel,” said Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer. He added that the partnership reflects evolving customer expectations and Dubai’s ambition to lead in financial technology and digital innovation.
Crypto.com also highlighted the significance of the launch for mainstream crypto adoption. Eric Anziani, President and Chief Operating Officer of Crypto.com, described the partnership as a milestone for the company’s payment infrastructure, emphasizing the ease of integration and user experience offered by Crypto.com Pay.
The integration runs through Crypto.com’s Dubai entity, which holds a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) licence from the Central Bank of the UAE. Crypto.com is the first Virtual Asset Service Provider to receive one, and the service operates within that SVF framework.
The launch also aligns with Dubai’s broader push toward digital payments under the Dubai Cashless Strategy, a key component of the emirate’s D33 Economic Agenda. The initiative aims to make 90% of financial transactions across both government and private sectors digital by the end of 2026.
Emirates is not the first UAE airline to experiment with crypto-related payments. Air Arabia introduced AE Coin payments for bookings in 2025, while other regional carriers have explored digital asset initiatives. The Emirates rollout stands out because the payment option is integrated directly into the airline’s booking channels rather than through a third-party travel platform.
Emirates has become the first major Gulf airline to accept cryptocurrency payments for flight bookings, via the Crypto.com Pay service. The launch comes as the UAE continues expanding regulated digital payment infrastructure, with Dubai positioning itself as a regional hub for fintech and virtual asset innovation.
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