Dubai Partners With Crypto.com For Government Crypto Payments

Dubai has taken a significant step towards embracing digital finance by partnering with Crypto.com to enable cryptocurrency payments for government services. The agreement, signed between the Dubai Department of Finance (DOF) and Crypto.com, marks a pioneering move in the public sector, allowing residents and businesses to pay for government services using cryptocurrency. This initiative was announced at the Dubai FinTech Summit on May 12, 2025, and outlines plans for a secure digital payment channel that will convert cryptocurrency payments into Emirati dirhams and transfer them to DOF accounts.

The integration of crypto payments into Dubai's digital infrastructure is a major component of the city's broader ambition to become a global hub for financial innovation. The Dubai Cashless Strategy aims to shift more than 90% of financial transactions in both public and private sectors to digital methods by 2026. This move is expected to contribute at least AED 8 billion annually to the local economy by fostering fintech growth and streamlining financial services.

The agreement between DOF and Crypto.com is described as the first of its kind at the government-wide level, surpassing pilot programs in other jurisdictions. Once the technical integration is complete, users will be able to access the service through Crypto.com’s wallet, facilitating seamless and secure crypto transactions across all participating government entities. This development underscores Dubai's commitment to leveraging blockchain technology to enhance its financial ecosystem and position itself as a leader in digital finance.

Amna Mohammed Lootah, director of digital payment systems regulation, emphasized the significance of this milestone in accelerating the advancement of the Dubai Cashless Strategy. The DOF is actively developing a regulatory framework that fosters innovation while ensuring the highest standards of security and efficiency in digital financial transactions. The city’s cashless strategy was first announced in October 2024, with the DOF reporting that 97% of all government payments in 2023 were already digital.

Dubai is considered a crypto-friendly city, hosting events like the Dubai edition of Token2049 between April 30 and May 1 this year. The emirate is also exploring other blockchain applications, such as the pilot phase of a project to convert real estate assets into digital tokens on the blockchain, which began on March 19. This initiative aligns with Dubai's broader vision of integrating blockchain technology into various sectors to drive economic growth and innovation.

Other governments have also shown interest in using crypto for payments. For instance, a New York lawmaker introduced legislation in April to allow state agencies to accept crypto payments. This global trend reflects a growing recognition of the potential benefits of cryptocurrency in enhancing financial services and promoting digital innovation.