Emirates to Accept Bitcoin
In a move that marks a turning point for cryptocurrency adoption in global aviation, Emirates one of the world’s largest airlines has announced plans to accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as payment for flights and in-flight services.
The Dubai-based carrier signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Crypto.com, signalling its intention to integrate Crypto.com Pay into its payment infrastructure by 2026. Customers will soon be able to book their flights, upgrade services, and possibly even shop duty-free using digital currencies.
The announcement, made in Dubai on July 9, was attended by senior representatives from both Emirates and Crypto.com, including Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.
“We are building the future of travel, and embracing cryptocurrency is a key part of that journey,” said Sheikh Ahmed. “This is about giving our customers more freedom and aligning with Dubai’s digital vision.”
The rollout will begin with select routes later in 2025 before scaling across Emirates' global network. Importantly, the airline will not hold crypto assets directly; instead, all payments will be instantly converted to UAE dirhams (AED) at the point of sale. This protects the airline from market volatility while keeping the process seamless for travellers.
This development follows Dubai’s aggressive positioning as a global hub for virtual assets. The emirate already boasts over 650 licensed crypto companies, a dedicated regulator (VARA), and widespread adoption of blockchain technology across government and financial services. Emirates’ announcement only cements the city's ambitions further.
Crypto.com co-founder and CEO, Kris Marszalek, called the partnership “a landmark moment for crypto payments.”
“Having a global brand like Emirates onboard showcases the maturity of crypto payment rails and reflects our shared belief in a more decentralised, open financial system,” he said.
So far, only a handful of airlines like AirBaltic and Vueling have dabbled in accepting crypto. But none operate on the scale of Emirates, whose fleet spans six continents and carries over 60 million passengers annually.
Market observers believe this could trigger a wave of crypto integrations across the travel sector.
“This is not just a payment innovation; it’s a signal to the world that crypto is ready for mainstream commerce,” said Lina Rashed, fintech analyst at Gulf Digital Insights. “Expect other carriers and tourism giants to follow suit.”
The partnership may also extend to Dubai Duty Free and Emirates' lounge services, offering even broader utility for digital assets in travel experiences.
With this move, Emirates positions itself at the vanguard of aviation innovation melding blockchain with luxury travel in a way few others have dared.
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