The announcement of Emirates accepting Bitcoin and crypto payments stems from a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Crypto.com on July 9, 2025, aligning with the UAE’s progressive blockchain strategy, which aims to shift 50% of government transactions to blockchain by 2021, showcasing a surprising leap in digital adoption.
This move builds on a 2020 joint project (Project Aber) between the UAE and Saudi Arabia exploring a dual-issue digital currency, with a 2024 Reuters report confirming the UAE’s growing role as a crypto hub, supported by over 50 licensed crypto firms, enhancing the credibility of this airline integration.
Research from the Journal of Risk and Financial Management (2023) indicates crypto payments reduce transaction costs by 1-2% compared to traditional methods, potentially saving Emirates millions annually, though volatility risks remain unless paired with stablecoin conversions as seen in Dubai’s earlier AE Coin adoption.
