Emirates Goes Crypto: Airline to Accept Bitcoin & Altcoins for Payments in 2025

Dubai’s flagship carrier just joined the Web3 revolution—passengers can now pay for flights in BTC, ETH, and major altcoins. No more fumbling with forex or swallowing 3% card fees.

Why This Matters

The move makes Emirates the first legacy airline to bypass traditional payment rails entirely. Expect copycats—Qatar Airways already testing NFT ticket integrations.

Behind the Decision

Insiders cite three drivers: demand from crypto-rich travelers, Dubai’s pro-blockchain regulators fast-tracking approvals, and the airline’s own $150M Web3 venture fund quietly launched last quarter.

The Fine Print

Initial rollout covers flight bookings only (sorry, no crypto for airport caviar). Settlement happens via institutional custody partners—because nobody wants 500 BTC stuck in escrow during a 40% market correction.

Last Word

Airlines finally found a use case for blockchain that’s not just mileage points on a private ledger. Now if only they could use smart contracts to prevent baggage fees…

How Will Emirates Implement Crypto.com Pay?

As a spokesperson at Crypto.com assured, the integration of Crypto.com Pay by Emirates is going to focus on technical preparation, regulated guidelines, and customer experience levels. The implementation, which is to take place in Q4 2025, can start with pilot projects on particular routes or areas and then MOVE on to a possible worldwide rollout. 

Emirates will not deal directly with cryptocurrencies; instead, payments will be instantly converted to fiat (AED) using real-time exchange rates, ensuring minimal foreign exchange exposure and regulatory compliance. Furthermore, Emirates and Crypto.com will conduct joint projects on promotional campaigns to increase awareness and stimulate the adoption of their users to improve the payment experience of travellers around the world.

Image: From left to right, Mohammed Al Hakim, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Adnan Kazim, and Michael Doersam. Source: Emirates

How Is Emirates A Part of Dubai’s Leadership in Crypto Adoption?

This crypto project by Emirates represents only a portion of the more significant vision of Dubai being at the forefront of the development of blockchain and digital assets. With easy-to-understand laws and a need to be pro-innovation, Dubai has opened its gates to more than 600 crypto establishments in the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC)  and the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). 

Industries like real estate and telecommunications are embracing cryptocurrency payments, with Tether’s USDt stablecoin enabling property purchases and Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin approved for virtual asset services. This collaboration takes Dubai a step forward in becoming a world leader in digital finance.

Whereas Emirates and Dubai are at the forefront of crypto integration, India is a step behind, even though crypto is gaining traction across the world. Countries like the UAE are welcoming cryptocurrencies, whereas India is still hobbled by 30% capital gain taxes on crypto profits and 1 percent TDS on crypto transactions. Such high taxes discourage innovation and investment, which drive crypto-related businesses away from our country.

The collaboration between Emirates and Crypto.com can be considered as a breakthrough on the path to the implementation of cryptocurrencies into everyday payment usage within the aviation industry. The incorporation of Crypto.com Pay adds flexibility to the customers, which strengthens the reputation of Dubai as a blockchain hub.

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