Emirates airline has signed a preliminary agreement with Crypto.com to enable customers to pay for flights using the crypto trading platform’s payment service, the carrier’s parent company announced on Wednesday. The partnership is expected to launch next year and aims to attract younger, tech-savvy travelers who prefer using digital currencies, said Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has rapidly positioned itself as a global hub for cryptocurrency businesses, with numerous firms establishing operations or expanding in the region. The country already permits cryptocurrency payments in sectors such as real estate, education fees, and transportation.
Dubai, in particular, has been proactive in regulating the virtual asset industry, establishing the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in 2022. The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), one of the city’s largest free zones, currently hosts over 650 crypto companies.
Other Gulf-based airlines have also embraced cryptocurrencies recently. For example, Dubai-listed Air Arabia announced in May that it would accept AE Coin, a UAE dirham-backed stablecoin, for flight bookings.
The Emirates-Crypto.com deal marks a significant step toward integrating cryptocurrencies into mainstream airline payments and reflects the broader trend of digital currencies gaining traction in the Gulf region.