Dubai’s Court of First Instance recognized cryptocurrency as a valid form of salary payment, marking a significant shift in the UAE’s approach to digital currencies. This decision is a notable update from the court’s previous stance in 2023, where a similar case was rejected due to issues with valuing crypto payments.
Irina Heaver, a partner at NeosLegal, explained that this new ruling in case number 1739 of 2024 highlights a progressive shift toward integrating digital currencies into the legal framework. The case involved an employee whose contract included a salary partly paid in EcoWatt tokens. The dispute arose when the employer failed to pay the token portion for six months.
Previously, the court had acknowledged the inclusion of EcoWatt tokens but did not enforce payment due to the lack of a clear method for converting these tokens to fiat currency. Heaver noted that the 2024 decision marks a significant change, as the court now upholds the payment of the crypto portion without requiring conversion to traditional currency.
“This ruling shows a broader acceptance of cryptocurrency in employment contracts,” Heaver commented. “It reflects the evolving nature of financial transactions in the Web3 economy.”
Heaver highlighted that this decision is rooted in the UAE Civil Transactions Law and Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021, demonstrating the court’s consistent application of legal principles.
The ruling sets a positive precedent, encouraging more businesses to consider digital currencies for transactions and fostering a more innovative economic environment.
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