Dubai Duty Free shoppers at two of the UAE’s busiest airports can now pay using Crypto.com Pay, making the retailer the first airport outlet in the Middle East to offer the regulated digital payment service to eligible UAE residents.
The option is live at both Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport, as well as through Dubai Duty Free’s ecommerce platform. For customers, the process is simple: open the Crypto.com app, scan a QR code at the point of sale in-store, or complete the equivalent step online. All transactions run through Crypto.com’s regulated payment infrastructure, with merchants settled directly in UAE Dirhams.
That regulatory grounding matters. Crypto.com holds a Stored Value Facilities licence from the Central Bank of the UAE, making it the first Virtual Asset Service Provider in the country to receive such a licence. The service therefore sits within an established oversight framework rather than operating in a grey area, which is a meaningful distinction for consumers weighing whether to use it.
The launch follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed between Dubai Duty Free and Crypto.com in July 2025, which set out plans to explore blockchain-enabled payment solutions across the retailer’s operations. Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, described the rollout as a natural next step. “Following the strategic partnership established through last year’s MoU, we are pleased to move into the roll-out phase with the introduction of Crypto.com Pay,” Cidambi said. “This launch reinforces our commitment to providing customers with greater convenience through innovative digital payment solutions while supporting Dubai’s vision of becoming a global leader in digital commerce.”
Eric Anziani, President and Chief Operating Officer of Crypto.com, pointed to the wider significance for everyday commerce. “Customers benefit from a secure and seamless payment experience through Crypto.com Pay, while merchants receive immediate settlement in UAE Dirhams,” Anziani said.
By contrast with some digital payment pilots that remain narrow in scope, this one slots into an already broad portfolio. Dubai Duty Free’s accepted payment methods now include Apple Pay, Alipay and TerraPay, with Crypto.com Pay joining that lineup. The expansion also aligns with the Dubai Cashless Strategy, part of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to reduce reliance on physical currency and promote digital transactions across the emirate.
The service is available exclusively to eligible UAE residents, keeping the rollout within the parameters of Crypto.com’s licence and the Central Bank’s oversight framework. Whether other airport retailers in the region move to follow suit, and how quickly, will be a practical test of appetite for regulated digital payments in high-footfall retail environments.