Crypto.com Expands UAE Presence with Key Aviation, Real Estate, Public Sector Partnerships

Crypto.com has significantly expanded its presence in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), striking multiple high-impact partnerships across aviation, real estate, and public sector services. During the last three months, the crypto exchange has partnered with leading institutions, including Emirates Airlines, the Dubai Land Department, and the Dubai Department of Finance, positioning itself at the center of the UAE’s digital transformation.

On July 9, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, announced a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Emirates Airlines, Crypto.com, and the Dubai Duty Free center. The agreement aims to explore advanced digital payment solutions for travelers using cryptocurrencies. Sheikh Al Maktoum noted that the deal reflects a shared ambition to modernize the travel and commerce experience across Dubai’s infrastructure. By integrating crypto payments across touchpoints, from ticket booking to in-airport purchases, the partnership supports Dubai’s D33 Agenda, which seeks to enhance the city’s position as a hub for innovation and the smart economy. The Dubai Duty Free Center stated, “We’re taking a bold step into the future of travel retail – bringing more convenience, security, and innovation to your airport shopping experience. With this new planned payment option, travellers will soon be able to pay using leading digital currencies, making their journey even more seamless and modern.”

Just days before the Emirates deal, the Dubai Land Department inked a separate partnership with Crypto.com on July 6 to build a blockchain-based investment infrastructure for virtual real estate. The goal is to support Dubai’s Real Estate Strategy 2033 by enabling property tokenization, investor verification, and crypto transactions. Crypto.com will provide technology and advisory services, while the Land Department will handle compliance and pilot implementation.

In May, the Dubai Department of Finance (DOF) signed its own MoU with Crypto.com in a parallel effort to modernize public services. The partnership, formalized during the Dubai FinTech Summit, will enable paying government service fees with crypto. This move supports the city’s broader Cashless Strategy, which aims to digitize financial transactions across public services using stablecoins and other digital assets. Speaking on this development, Eric Anziani, President and COO of Crypto.com, said, “We are proud to be selected to support Dubai’s Department of Finance as part of this initiative, which sees Crypto.com enable the delivery of the first comprehensive and holistic Government-wide implementation of payment digitisation.”

Crypto.com’s strategic partnerships in the UAE underscore its commitment to driving digital transformation and innovation in the region. By collaborating with key players in aviation, real estate, and public services, Crypto.com is not only expanding its market reach but also contributing to the UAE’s vision of becoming a global leader in the digital economy. These partnerships are expected to enhance the convenience, security, and efficiency of various services, aligning with the UAE’s broader goals of fostering a smart and innovative ecosystem.