SendTech Times
Fintech & Digital PaymentsNews|August 5, 2026, 04:55 PM
REGIONAL MARKET:

Dubai Duty Free Starts Crypto.com Pay at Airport Checkouts

BySendTech Times Fintech DeskNewsroom-edited, source-reviewed coverage
Newsroom brief

Dubai Duty Free has launched Crypto.com Pay for eligible UAE residents at DXB, Al Maktoum International Airport and dubaidutyfree.com. The payment flow settles in UAE dirhams and follows Crypto.com’s Central Bank of the UAE stored-value licence.

Verified against source materialEdited by SendTech Times Fintech DeskSource: Economy Middle East
Dubai Duty Free Starts Crypto.com Pay at Airport Checkouts
Image source: Economy Middle East

Dubai Duty Free has launched Crypto.com Pay at Dubai International Airport, Al Maktoum International Airport and dubaidutyfree.com, making it the first airport retailer in the Middle East to introduce the regulated digital payment solution.

The option is available exclusively to eligible UAE residents, with Dubai Duty Free receiving settlement in UAE dirhams through Crypto.com’s regulated payment infrastructure.

At physical checkouts, the point-of-sale system generates a Crypto.com QR code for the purchase amount in AED.

Customers scan it with the Crypto.com App and approve the payment from their Crypto.com wallet.

Once authorized, the purchase is immediately confirmed through Dubai Duty Free’s existing point-of-sale system.

Online shoppers can select Crypto.com Pay at checkout.

Customers using a mobile device are redirected to the Crypto.com App to review and approve the transaction before returning to Dubai Duty Free to complete the purchase.

The retailer’s existing order management system then confirms the order.

The rollout follows a strategic partnership announced in July 2025, when Dubai Duty Free and Crypto.com signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore blockchain-enabled payment solutions and broader digital innovation initiatives across the retailer’s operations.

“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,” said Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free.

The payment service operates within the regulatory framework established by the Central Bank of the UAE.

Crypto.com is the first Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in the UAE to receive a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) license from the Central Bank of the UAE, enabling it to provide regulated payment services under the conditions of that license.

“Dubai Duty Free is one of the world’s most recognized 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,” said Eric Anziani, President and Chief Operating Officer of Crypto.com.

Crypto.com Pay joins Dubai Duty Free’s existing payment solutions, including Apple Pay, Alipay and TerraPay.

The launch also supports the Dubai Cashless Strategy under the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims for 90 percent of financial transactions across the public and private sectors to become cashless by the end of 2026.

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