Global airline Emirates has officially rolled out Crypto.com Pay across its website and mobile app platforms. The integration allows customers holding an active Crypto.com account to choose digital payment options at checkout for flight reservations. The rollout marks the official implementation of a strategic partnership initiated in July 2025, when both entities executed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore embedding cryptocurrency payment rails into Emirates’ digital infrastructure.
The payment service is available to eligible United Arab Emirates residents for bookings priced and settled in Emirati Dirham (AED). Transactions are processed under local regulatory frameworks via Crypto.com’s Dubai entity, which operates as the first Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) granted a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) license by the Central Bank of the UAE.
Streamlined Checkout Experience Across Desktop and Mobile
The checkout workflow is tailored specifically for user convenience across both desktop and mobile surfaces/
Customers booking through the Emirates App should select Crypto.com Pay at checkout and are redirected directly into the Crypto.com application to confirm the transaction from their wallet. Upon authorization, users automatically return to the Emirates App to receive their e-ticket and booking confirmation.
Users purchasing tickets on emirates.com need to choose Crypto.com Pay during the final payment step, display a dynamic QR code on screen, scan it using their mobile Crypto.com app, and confirm the transaction to generate an instant e-ticket.
Supporting Dubai’s Vision for a Digital Economy
Executive leadership from both companies highlighted that transitioning from initial partnership signing to live deployment in under a year reflects the region’s progressive regulatory climate. Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer at Emirates, emphasized that providing digital asset settlement aligns with the evolving preferences of tech-savvy travelers managing their end-to-end journeys via smartphone. Eric Anziani, President and Chief Operating Officer of Crypto.com, called the integration a key milestone for expanding cryptocurrency adoption within travel and hospitality.
The operational milestone directly supports the Dubai Cashless Strategy under the broader D33 Economic Agenda, which aims to digitize 90 percent of all private and public sector financial transactions by the end of 2026. Building on prior digital payment partnerships with Dubai Finance, the integration places Emirates at the forefront of aviation fintech adoption across the Middle East.
