Dubai Goes Full Crypto: Government Services Now Accept Digital Assets

Oil money meets blockchain—Dubai’s government just greenlit crypto payments for everything from visa fees to traffic fines. No more dirham headaches for crypto whales.

The move slashes friction for the city’s growing web3 workforce and tourists flush with stablecoins. Meanwhile, traditional banks scramble to explain why their SWIFT transfers still take three days.

One cynical take? After betting big on luxury real estate and gold markets, Dubai’s rulers spotted a hotter store of value—politically neutral, globally liquid, and impossible for the Fed to print into oblivion.

Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti and Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh helped seal the agreement with Crypto.com through a Memorandum of Understanding. The goal is to support Dubai’s “Cashless Strategy” and speed up digital payment options across the city.

In the press release, Crypto.com’s President and COO, Eric Anziani, praised Dubai’s approach. He said, “The Government of Dubai has been a true global visionary with its plans for a cashless society.” He said the company is excited to help launch the city’s first full-scale crypto payment system for public services.

Moreover, this is part of Dubai’s larger vision under its Economic Agenda D33, which aims to boost its place as a global hub for business, technology, and innovation. Officials believe digital payments will make public services more efficient and accessible.

Amna Mohammed Lootah, who oversees digital payment systems regulation, said that Dubai wants 90% of all payments in the city, both public and private, to be cashless by 2026. She added that this project is a major step toward that target.

The new system will work quietly in the background. Users will just pay with crypto and Crypto.com will handle everything else, making the process smooth and secure.

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