Crypto.com Wins UAE License to Process Dubai Government Crypto Payments

Highlights:

• Crypto.com can now help Dubai residents pay government fees with cryptocurrencies.
• Crypto payments through the platform will settle in UAE dirhams or approved stablecoins.
• Emirates Airlines and Dubai Duty Free could later add Crypto.com payment options.

Crypto.com has received a Stored Value Facilities license from the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates. The Central Bank issued the license to Foris DAX Middle East FZE, which operates as Crypto.com in Dubai.

Advertisement

CRYPTO COM WINS DUBAI PAYMENTS LICENSE

Crypto(.)com (@cryptocom) has secured a UAE license to process Dubai government crypto payments.

The approval allows residents to pay government fees using cryptocurrencies through the platform. Payments can be funded in digital assets and… pic.twitter.com/utGGXdYHhb

— BSCN (@BSCNews) May 11, 2026

The approval allows Dubai residents to pay government service fees with cryptocurrencies through Crypto.com’s regulated payment platform. In addition, the approval activates Crypto.com’s May 2025 agreement with Dubai Finance to support crypto-funded government payments under Dubai’s cashless strategy.

Crypto.com said UAE residents can initiate government fee payments with supported cryptocurrencies through the company’s regulated platform. However, Dubai government agencies will receive final payment settlements in UAE dirhams or approved dirham-backed stablecoins. The company also said users must complete onboarding and identity verification through its VARA-licensed platform before using the service. Furthermore, the Central Bank of the UAE will supervise Crypto Payments processed through the licensed settlement framework.

Crypto.com received in-principle approval for the SVF license before regulators completed technical and compliance reviews. After completing operational and compliance checks, the Central Bank granted Crypto.com the final authorization. Consequently, the approval now allows Crypto.com to process regulated crypto-funded payments for Dubai government services. The company also said no other licensed Virtual Asset Service Provider currently operates with the same SVF license in the UAE.

Crypto Payments Move Into Regulated Dirham Settlement Framework

Crypto.com said users can start crypto payments with approved cryptocurrencies through the regulated infrastructure. However, Dubai government departments will continue receiving regulated settlements in local currency despite crypto-funded transactions. Under the SVF framework, UAE regulators will supervise all settlements processed through approved dirham payment systems.

Crypto.com said the approval strengthens its regulated operations inside the UAE digital asset market. The company already operates in Dubai under a Virtual Asset Service Provider license issued by VARA. In addition, Crypto.com uses its VARA-licensed platform to offer regulated trading and payment services to institutional and retail users. The company described the SVF approval as another step in its broader regulatory expansion strategy.

Eric Anziani, President and COO of Crypto.com, said:

“We are always developing our presence in this forward-thinking, digital-savvy market and continue to lead the way when it comes to offering innovative products and services that are genuinely convenient and seamless for those who own digital assets.”

Outside the UAE, Crypto.com secured authorization under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto Assets framework to expand services across Europe. The United States Office of the Comptroller of the Currency also granted Crypto.com conditional approval for a national trust bank charter.

In addition, Crypto.com recently launched regulated event-based derivatives and prediction market products through its United States affiliate. Therefore, the UAE license adds to the company’s broader regulated expansion across multiple financial markets.

INSIGHTS:

CRYPTO․COM JUST SECURED A U.S. CFTC DERIVATIVES LICENSE. 🇺🇸

THE FIRST MAJOR EXCHANGE TO ENTER DERIVATIVES LEGALLY.

THIS IS HOW MAINSTREAM ADOPTION STARTS. pic.twitter.com/2tRN1SfkFk

— Merlijn The Trader (@MerlijnTrader) October 1, 2025

Emirates Airlines and Dubai Duty Free Could Join Future Rollout

Crypto.com said future Crypto payments integrations may include Emirates Airlines and Dubai Duty Free. However, Crypto.com still needs additional approvals from the Central Bank of the UAE before launching those payment integrations. Emirates signed a memorandum of understanding with Crypto.com in July last year. The agreement explored adding Crypto.com Pay to Emirates’ payment systems.

Crypto.com said Emirates Airlines and Dubai Duty Free could use the same crypto-to-dirham settlement model for customer payments. In addition, the planned integrations support Dubai’s goal of increasing regulated digital payment adoption across transportation, travel, and retail sectors. Dubai regulators have approved several digital asset initiatives involving tokenized assets, crypto payments, and licensed cryptocurrency services across the emirate.

Advertisement