Emirates has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Crypto.com to assess the potential inclusion of Crypto.com Pay within its payment systems, the airline said in an official statement. The deal is anticipated to roll out next year after further development and necessary regulatory approvals.
According to Emirates, the MoU was signed in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, and Michael Doersam, the Group’s Chief Financial & Services Officer. The agreement was formally signed by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, and Mohammed Al Hakim, President of Crypto.com’s UAE operations.
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In the announcement, Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, said the collaboration reflects the airline’s effort to adapt to changing customer expectations and explore digital payment methods, including cryptocurrencies. He added that the move is in line with Dubai’s broader push toward financial innovation and digital transformation.
Eric Anziani, President and COO of Crypto.com, said the agreement is part of the company’s effort to expand real-world use cases for cryptocurrencies in the region.
Dubai aims to position itself as a worldwide cryptocurrency hub that is supported by a legislative environment focused on ensuring financial stability and increasing innovative prospects. Emirates said that several companies in sectors such as real estate and telecom in Dubai are already accepting cryptocurrency as a form of payment.
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The UAE has been positioning itself as a center for virtual asset innovation with Dubai forming the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in 2022 to regulate the industry.
According to Gulf News, Dubai Duty Free has also formed an agreement with Crypto.com to examine the use of cryptocurrency for in-store and online payments. The development reflects ongoing efforts in the UAE to examine how digital assets might be integrated into existing payment systems.
