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If successful, it would make Emirates one of the first major global carriers to support crypto as a payment method.
Emirates To Add Crypto As Payment Option
According to a Wednesday press release, the parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore integrating Crypto.com Pay into Emirates’ global payment systems, allowing millions of customers to pay for flights and other services using crypto assets. The official integration of the feature is expected to take place sometime next year.
The MoU was signed by Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer, Adnan Kazim, and Mohammed Al Hakim, Crypto.com’s UAE operations. Kazim suggested that the move is part of a wider travel and commerce strategy to “meet evolving customer preferences” and “tap into younger, tech-savvy customer segments who prefer digital currencies” for payments.
“This strategic move is in line with Dubai’s vision to be at the forefront of financial innovation while at the same time providing our customers with greater flexibility and choice in how they transact with Emirates,” he added.
 
Beyond payment integration, the two companies will collaborate on promotional marketing campaigns to raise awareness and drive user adoption once the new payment solution is implemented.
“We’re delighted to complete the signing of this important MoU with Emirates Airline. As we continue to expand the everyday use case for crypto, integration with exceptional partners such as Emirates will bring real momentum to the digital asset industry and enable both companies to offer genuine innovative finance solutions for our customers,” Eric Anziani, President and COO of Crypto.com, said in a statement.
Dubai’s Crypto Hub Ambitions
The announcement by Emirates comes amid Dubai’s ambition to reinforce its position as a global blockchain and crypto hub, bolstered by a regulatory framework alluring to digital asset firms.
For instance, earlier this year, Dubai Finance, the financial department of the Dubai Government, signed an MoU with Crypto.com to allow crypto payments for government services.
And last month, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), the financial regulator in charge of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), gave the regulatory nod to Ripple’s dollar-pegged stablecoin RLUSD. Companies within the DIFC can now use RLUSD for various virtual asset services.
Source: https://zycrypto.com/emirates-airline-signs-deal-with-crypto-com-to-enable-crypto-payments/