Emirates has launched Crypto.com Pay, allowing eligible United Arab Emirates residents to book flights with cryptocurrencies through the airline’s website and mobile app. Bookings are priced and settled in UAE dirhams, with Crypto.com handling the crypto-to-fiat conversion.
Mobile users complete payments through the Crypto.com app, while desktop customers scan a QR code at checkout to authorize the transaction from their crypto wallet. Emirates does not hold digital assets, instead receiving payment in dirhams. The service is currently limited to eligible UAE residents.
The launch follows a partnership announced in July 2025. Earlier this year, Crypto.com received a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) license from the UAE central bank, enabling it to offer regulated digital wallet and payment services in the country. The license allows customers to pay with cryptocurrencies while merchants receive dirhams or approved dirham-backed stablecoins.
“The launch reflects the rapidly evolving preferences of a younger, digitally fluent generation who manage their money and plan their journeys primarily from their phones,” said Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer.
According to CoinGecko, Crypto.com processed about $686 million in trading volume over the past 24 hours at the time of writing.
Emirates is not the first airline in the region to accept crypto payments. Air Arabia introduced support for the UAE’s dirham-backed AE Coin stablecoin for flight bookings in May 2025.
Featured image from: cointelegraph.com