Emirates to Roll Out Bitcoin Payments by 2026 Following Crypto.com Deal

Dubai, UAE – Emirates, one of the world's leading airlines, has signed a preliminary agreement with Crypto.com to enable customers to pay for flight bookings using Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The partnership, announced on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, is expected to come into effect next year, marking a significant step in the airline's digital transformation strategy. This move positions Emirates at the forefront of integrating digital currencies into mainstream travel.

The deal, formalized as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), will see Emirates utilize Crypto.com Pay, the crypto trading platform's payment service. Adnan Kazim, Emirates' Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, stated that the initiative aims to attract "younger, tech-savvy customer segments who prefer digital currencies." He emphasized that this strategic step aligns with Dubai's vision to lead in financial innovation and offer greater flexibility to customers.

Dubai has rapidly emerged as a global hub for cryptocurrency adoption and innovation. The city established the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in 2022 to regulate the virtual asset sector, and its Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) free zone currently hosts over 650 crypto firms. This supportive regulatory environment has encouraged various sectors, including real estate and transportation, to embrace digital payment solutions.

Emirates is not the first airline to venture into cryptocurrency payments. Other carriers, such as Dubai-listed Air Arabia, announced in May 2025 that it would accept UAE dirham-backed stablecoin AE Coin for flight bookings. Similarly, Dubai Duty Free also signed an MoU with Crypto.com on the same day, exploring the acceptance of digital currency for purchases at Dubai International Airport.

The airline plans to instantly convert cryptocurrency payments into fiat currency, such as the UAE Dirham (AED), at real-time exchange rates to mitigate market volatility. Eric Anziani, President and COO of Crypto.com, highlighted that the integration with partners like Emirates brings "real momentum to the digital asset industry." This collaboration underscores Emirates' commitment to enhancing customer experience and leveraging advanced technologies like blockchain and Web3.