Dubai Duty Free has become the first airport retailer in the Middle East to accept Crypto.com Pay™, a regulated digital payment product built on blockchain infrastructure, available to eligible UAE residents shopping in-store and online.
The rollout covers both Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport, as well as Dubai Duty Free’s e-commerce site. Customers pay from their digital wallet by scanning a QR code at the point of sale or during online checkout.
The retailer receives immediate settlement in UAE dirhams through the payment provider’s regulated infrastructure.
The launch is the operational outcome of a memorandum of understanding signed in July 2025 between Dubai Duty Free and its technology partner, which the Central Bank of the UAE has licensed as both the country’s first Virtual Asset Service Provider and the first holder of a Stored Value Facilities licence.
“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™. Available exclusively to eligible UAE residents through Crypto.com’s regulated payment platform, 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,” Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free said in a statement.
“Dubai Duty Free is one of the world’s most recognised travel retail brands and one of the largest single airport duty free operators globally. The launch of Crypto.com Pay™ marks another important milestone in expanding regulated digital payment solutions for everyday commerce. Customers benefit from a secure and seamless payment experience through Crypto.com Pay™, while merchants receive immediate settlement in UAE Dirhams (AED). This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to delivering innovative payment experiences while supporting Dubai’s ambition to lead the future of digital commerce,” Eric Anziani, President and Chief Operating Officer of Crypto.com added.
Crypto.com Crypto.com Pay™ joins Apple Pay, Alipay, and TerraPay in Dubai Duty Free’s existing payments lineup. The integration also advances the Dubai Cashless Strategy under the Dubai Economic Agenda, which targets 90 per cent of financial transactions across public and private sectors to be cashless by the end of 2026.
