Emirates, one of the largest airlines in the Middle East, has launched Crypto.com Pay as a payment option for eligible customers in the UAE, allowing travelers to pay for flight bookings using the digital payment service on the airline’s website and mobile app.
According to the official release, the rollout follows a partnership announced in 2025 between Emirates and Crypto.com to explore digital asset payment integration. The service is currently available to UAE residents making bookings priced and settled in Emirati dirham (AED), with payments processed through Crypto.com’s platform under the UAE’s virtual asset regulatory framework.
Crypto.com Pay added as booking payment option
Customers booking through Emirates’ digital platforms can now select Crypto.com Pay during checkout if they have an eligible Crypto.com account.
On mobile, users booking through the Emirates app are redirected to the Crypto.com app to complete payment from their wallet before returning to Emirates for confirmation and ticket issuance. For desktop bookings, customers selecting Crypto.com Pay can scan a QR code displayed on Emirates’ website and approve the transaction through the Crypto.com app.
The integration allows Emirates customers to use digital assets as a payment method while keeping the booking process within the airline’s existing digital channels.
Why Emirates’ crypto payment push matters
The launch comes as airlines and financial institutions explore blockchain-based payment systems, while regulators in regions such as the UAE establish frameworks for digital asset services. The move also aligns with Dubai’s broader digital payments strategy, including the Dubai Cashless Strategy under the D33 Economic Agenda, which targets increasing digital transaction adoption across government and private sectors.
Crypto.com’s Dubai entity operates under the Central Bank of the UAE’s Stored Value Facilities (SVF) framework and became the first Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) to receive an SVF licence from the regulator.
From partnership talks to real-world payments
Emirates and Crypto.com first announced their collaboration through a memorandum of understanding in July 2025. The agreement focused on exploring ways to integrate Crypto.com Pay into Emirates’ payment infrastructure. With the launch now active, the companies have moved from planning discussions to customer-facing implementation.
Emirates Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim said the integration reflects changing payment preferences among customers and the airline’s efforts to expand available payment options.
He said, “Moving from signature to launch with Crypto.com in under a year is a credit to both teams, and to a regulatory environment that makes this kind of innovation possible, reflecting the UAE’s and Dubai’s ambition to lead in fintech and the digital economy.”
Crypto.com President and COO Eric Anziani said the partnership demonstrates the use of Crypto.com Pay in digital payment applications. He added, “This collaboration is a testament to the UAE’s forward thinking approach to innovation and we’re proud to support Emirates as it embraces the digital payments space.”
Integration follows UAE push for digital finance adoption
The payment rollout follows other digital finance initiatives in Dubai involving both companies and government entities. Emirates has previously partnered with Dubai Finance to support digital payment initiatives, while Crypto.com has worked with Dubai Finance on accepting digital payments for government services.
The latest integration adds cryptocurrency payments to Emirates’ existing range of payment options, as the UAE continues developing its digital asset and fintech infrastructure.
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