Emirates Airlines Joins Forces with Crypto.com to Promote Digital Coin as Payment

Emirates Airlines and Crypto.com have announced a partnership to explore cryptocurrency payment solutions across Dubai’s travel ecosystem. This initiative, which includes Dubai Duty Free signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the global crypto exchange, will enable digital asset payments both in physical retail and online platforms.

The agreement targets millions of international travelers passing through Dubai International Airport, positioning Dubai as a pioneer in travel retail that accepts cryptocurrency, in line with the city’s Economic Agenda D33 to become a global innovation hub and smart economy leader.

The signing ceremony was attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and CEO of Emirates Airline & Group, along with Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, and Mohammed Al Hakim, President of UAE Operations at Crypto.com.

The partnership covers not only payment integration but also joint marketing and customer engagement programs to leverage the strengths of both organizations.

Dubai Duty Free aims to lay a robust foundation for crypto acceptance, driven by strong results in the first half of 2025 with revenues reaching 4.118 billion AED ($1.128 billion), up 5.34% year-on-year. This builds on a track record of adopting cutting-edge payment technologies, such as Alipay and TerraPay, to create a future-ready travel retail ecosystem.

Both parties will now commence detailed feasibility studies and planning to bring crypto payment solutions to market, while furthering Dubai’s digital transformation efforts and supporting UAE’s successful partnerships with Crypto.com and Dubai Islamic Bank.

The move comes amid growing momentum for crypto payments in the travel sector globally and stands in contrast to tightening EU MiCA regulations. The government’s cashless strategy aims for 90% of transactions to go digital by 2026, with officials estimating digital payment adoption could boost the local economy by at least 8 billion dirhams ($2.17 billion).

Meanwhile, security concerns remain a barrier, with 37% of users citing hacking and fraud as key obstacles, according to recent industry surveys. With millions of global travelers passing through Dubai each year, this partnership could accelerate mainstream cryptocurrency adoption by demonstrating its practical, day-to-day applications.

Ultimately, the joint venture between Emirates Airlines and Crypto.com goes beyond payment technology; it marks a bold leap toward a digital economy, with Dubai seeking to establish itself as an “innovation hub” that welcomes crypto, NFTs, and metaverse initiatives, even as other markets hesitate over regulation.

 

Following these, Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency by market value, surged to a new all-time high of $117,999.50 at 05:49 AM UTC (12:49 PM Bangkok time) on Friday, having jumped by roughly 26% year-to-date.

In March, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to establish a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and appointed crypto-friendly figures such as Chairman of the U.S. SEC Paul Atkins and White House AI advisor David Sacks to key roles, further bolstering sentiment in the digital asset market.

 

As for the Thai market, shares of companies linked to Bitcoin continued to post notable gains as of the end of the morning session on Friday.

Jasmine Technology Solution Public Company Limited (SET: JTS) surged by 10.16% or THB 3.25 to THB 35.25, with a trading value of THB 33.33 million.

The Brooker Group Public Company Limited (mai: BTC) added 9.09% or THB 0.03 to THB 0.36, with a trading value of THB 16.50 million.

Ziga Innovation Public Company Limited (mai: ZIGA) increased by 9.01% or THB 0.10 to THB 1.21, with a trading value of THB 13.71 million.

XSpring Capital Public Company Limited (SET: XPG) rose by 3.77% or THB 0.02 to THB 0.55, with a trading value of THB 42.07 million.