Emirates Plans on Accepting Crypto Currency as Future Customer Payment Method

Emirates has today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Crypto.com for the future integration of Crypto.com Pay as a customer payment option.

The MoU was signed in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group and Michael Doersam, Emirates’ Chief Financial & Group Services Officer, by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, and Mohammed Al Hakim, President of Crypto.com’s UAE operations – Courtesy Emirates

On Wednesday (July 9, 2025), Emirates announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Crypto.com to explore integrating Crypto.com Pay within its payments systems. This integration is expected to take effect in 2026.  Today’s MoU was signed in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group and Michael Doersam, Emirates’ Chief Financial & Group Services Officer, by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, and Mohammed Al Hakim, President of Crypto.com’s UAE operations.

In Wednesday’s announcement, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Adnan Kazim, said,

“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.  This strategic move is in line with Dubai’s vision to be at the forefront of financial innovation while at the same time providing our customers with greater flexibility and choice in how they transact with Emirates.”

Also commenting on the digital currency payment partnership, Crypto.com’s President and COO, Eric Anziani, added,

“We’re delighted to complete the signing of this important MoU with Emirates Airline.  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 and enable both companies to offer genuine innovative finance solutions for our customers.  We look forward to working together as we continue to build our crypto offering in the GCC.”

From L-R: Mohammed Al Hakim, President of Crypto.com’s UAE operations, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group, Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Michael Doersam, Emirates’ Chief Financial & Group Services Officer - Courtesy Emirates

In addition to the Crypto.com Pay integration, Emirates and Crypto.com will explore leveraging promotional marketing campaigns to create awareness and encourage adoption of this new payment solution.  The carrier’s latest partnership comes as Dubai positions itself as a global cryptocurrency hub, supported by a robust ecosystem and a sophisticated regulatory framework, designed to foster innovation, while ensuring investor protection and financial stability.  A number of Dubai companies are already accepting cryptocurrency as a form of purchase from real estate developers to major telecoms.

Source: Emirates