Emirates Airline has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Crypto.com to enable cryptocurrency payments for its flights and services, marking a significant step toward mainstream adoption of digital currencies in the aviation industry.
The partnership aims to integrate Crypto.com Pay into Emirates' global payment infrastructure, allowing millions of customers to pay using major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, alongside traditional fiat currencies. This integration is expected to be completed by 2026, with initial rollout phases targeted for late 2025.
Adnan Kazim, Emirates' Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized that this move aligns with the airline's strategy to modernize its payment systems, meet evolving customer preferences, and attract younger, tech-savvy travelers. He also highlighted that the initiative supports Dubai's vision to be at the forefront of financial innovation, providing customers with greater flexibility and choice in transactions.
The collaboration goes beyond payment integration, as Emirates and Crypto.com plan to launch joint marketing campaigns to raise awareness and encourage the adoption of cryptocurrency payments among travelers. The payments will be converted instantly to UAE dirhams (AED) at the point of transaction to ensure compliance and minimize foreign exchange risks, with Emirates not holding cryptocurrencies on its books.
This partnership places Emirates among the growing number of Dubai-based companies embracing digital asset payments, reinforcing the UAE's position as a global hub for blockchain and fintech innovation. Crypto.com’s President and COO, Eric Anziani, noted that working with a global brand like Emirates will bring real momentum to the digital asset industry and expand crypto’s everyday use cases across travel and commerce sectors.
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