Emirates, one of the world's leading international airlines, has announced a significant stride towards mainstream cryptocurrency adoption in the aviation sector, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Crypto.com. The agreement will explore integrating Crypto.com Pay into Emirates' payment systems, marking a major endorsement of digital assets by a global airline.
This partnership is poised to offer innovative finance solutions, while simultaneously expanding Crypto.com's presence in the booming Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. The integration is expected to commence next year, likely in 2026, following thorough security and compliance reviews. This timeline positions Emirates to become one of the first major global airlines to directly accept cryptocurrency payments, a move that aligns with Dubai's broader strategy to become a leading global crypto hub.
Adnan Kazim, Emirates' Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, highlighted the airline's commitment to evolving customer preferences and digital innovation in a statement on Wednesday. "Partnering with Crypto.com to integrate cryptocurrency into our digital payments system reflects Emirates' commitment to meeting evolving customer preferences, in addition to tapping into younger, tech-savvy customer segments who prefer digital currencies," Kazim stated.
Eric Anziani, President and COO of Crypto.com, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the broader impact on the digital asset industry. "As we continue to expand the everyday use case for crypto, integration with exceptional partners such as Emirates will bring real momentum to the digital asset industry," Anziani said. Crypto.com has been actively expanding in the GCC, including recent partnerships to enable crypto payments for government services and real estate in Dubai, and a principal license from Mastercard to issue cards in Bahrain and across the region.
Beyond the technical integration of payment systems, Emirates and Crypto.com plan to collaborate on joint promotional marketing campaigns. These initiatives will be designed to raise awareness and encourage the adoption of cryptocurrency payment options among travelers, supporting customer education and driving the usage of the new payment solution once it's implemented.
The initiative is well-supported by Dubai's crypto-friendly environment. Multiple Dubai-based companies across various sectors, from real estate developers to major telecommunications providers, already accept cryptocurrency payments. This existing ecosystem provides a fertile ground for Emirates' foray into crypto payments, furthering the city's ambition to be at the forefront of financial innovation. Emirates' decision reflects a growing trend where major industries are exploring how digital assets can enhance customer experience, streamline transactions, and attract new demographics.
July 2025, Cryptoniteuae