Emirates accepts Bitcoin and crypto payments for flights through Crypto.com partnership

Emirates, one of the world’s largest airlines, is moving to accept Bitcoin and cryptocurrency payments for flights. The initiative stems from a partnership with Crypto.com that positions the carrier at the intersection of two things Dubai loves most: aviation and digital assets. The collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on July 9, 2025, integrates Crypto.com Pay as a payment method for flights and travel services. The partnership could support payments in Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), among other cryptocurrencies. What the Emirates-Crypto.com deal actually looks like The integration uses Crypto.com Pay, the exchange’s existing payment infrastructure that already processes transactions for a range of merchants. Travelers would pay through Crypto.com’s system, which handles the conversion and settlement, so Emirates doesn’t need to worry about holding volatile digital assets on its balance sheet. A key piece of the puzzle fell into place in May 2026, when Crypto.com secured a central bank license in the UAE. That regulatory approval is what makes this kind of payment integration possible in a jurisdiction that takes financial licensing seriously. ...