Dubai Duty Free Brings Crypto.com Pay to Airport Retail in UAE

Dubai Duty Free introduced Crypto.com Pay on August 5, 2026, as a regulated digital payment option for eligible UAE residents. The service is available at Dubai International Airport, Al Maktoum International Airport, and the retailer’s online store. Customers can pay through their Crypto.com accounts, while Dubai Duty Free receives settlement in UAE dirhams via regulated payment infrastructure.

In-store shoppers select Crypto.com Pay at checkout and receive a QR code showing the amount in UAE dirhams. They scan the code with the Crypto.com App and approve the transaction. Online customers also select the option during checkout, generate a secure QR code, and confirm payment through the app before completing their order.

The payment service operates under the Central Bank of the UAE’s regulatory framework for stored value facilities, which sets requirements for customer protection, security, and compliance. Crypto.com received a Stored Value Facilities license from the central bank, allowing it to provide regulated payment services in the country.

This rollout follows Emirates adding Crypto.com Pay for flight bookings, expanding crypto payment use cases in Dubai’s travel sector. The development aligns with the Dubai Cashless Strategy, which aims for 90% of transactions to be cashless by 2026 under the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).

Crypto.com President and COO Eric Anziani noted that Dubai Duty Free is a globally recognized travel retail brand, and the launch marks another milestone in expanding regulated digital payment solutions for everyday commerce.

Source: https://news.bitcoin.com/featured/dubai-duty-free-brings-crypto-com-pay-to-airport-retail-in-uae/