{"id":24661,"date":"2026-08-05T10:25:50","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T10:25:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/?p=24661"},"modified":"2026-08-05T10:25:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T10:25:51","slug":"dubai-duty-free-becomes-first-airport-retailer-in-the-middle-east-to-introduce-crypto-com-pay-as-a-regulated-digital-payment-option","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/dubai-duty-free-becomes-first-airport-retailer-in-the-middle-east-to-introduce-crypto-com-pay-as-a-regulated-digital-payment-option\/","title":{"rendered":"Dubai Duty Free Becomes First Airport Retailer In The Middle East To Introduce Crypto.com Pay\u2122 As A Regulated Digital Payment Option"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dubai Duty Free has officially launched Crypto.com Pay\u2122, becoming the first airport retailer in the Middle East to introduce the regulated digital payment solution. Eligible customers can now use Crypto.com Pay\u2122 when shopping at Dubai Duty Free both in Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (AMIA), as well as online at\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/dubaidutyfree.com\/\">dubaidutyfree.com<\/a>\u00a0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With Crypto.com Pay\u2122, eligible customers shopping at Dubai Duty Free\u2014whether in-store or online\u2014can authorize payments using their Crypto.com account at checkout. Transactions are processed securely through Crypto.com\u2019s regulated payment infrastructure, with settlement in UAE Dirhams (AED) to Dubai Duty Free.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The launch marks the successful implementation of the strategic partnership announced between Dubai Duty Free and Crypto.com in July 2025, when both organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore blockchain-enabled payment solutions and broader digital innovation initiatives across Dubai Duty Free\u2019s operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Commenting on the launch, Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, said: \u201cFollowing the strategic partnership established through last year\u2019s MoU, we are pleased to move into the roll-out phase with the introduction of Crypto.com Pay\u2122. Available exclusively to eligible UAE residents through Crypto.com\u2019s regulated payment platform, this launch reinforces our commitment to providing customers with greater convenience through innovative digital payment solutions while supporting Dubai\u2019s vision of becoming a global leader in digital commerce.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eric Anziani, President and Chief Operating Officer of Crypto.com, said, \u201cDubai Duty Free is one of the world\u2019s most recognised travel retail brands and one of the largest single airport duty free operators globally. The launch of Crypto.com Pay\u2122 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\u2122, while merchants receive immediate settlement in UAE Dirhams (AED). This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to delivering innovative payment experiences while supporting Dubai\u2019s ambition to lead the future of digital commerce.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The rollout follows 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) licence from the Central Bank of the UAE, enabling it to provide regulated payment services in accordance with the conditions of that licence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How It Works<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new payment option has been seamlessly integrated into <a href=\"https:\/\/dubaiverse.io\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Dubai<\/a> Duty Free\u2019s existing checkout process, enabling eligible UAE resident customers to complete purchases using Crypto.com Pay\u2122 while Dubai Duty Free receives settlement in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uaetoday.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UAE<\/a> Dirhams (AED) through Crypto.com\u2019s regulated payment infrastructure, in accordance with applicable regulatory and operational requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In-Store Purchases<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When customers choose Crypto.com Pay\u2122 at checkout, the point-of-sale system generates a unique Crypto.com QR code for the purchase amount\u00a0in AED. Customers simply scan the QR code using the Crypto.com App and approve the payment directly from their wallet. Once the transaction is successfully authorised, the purchase is immediately confirmed through Dubai Duty Free\u2019s existing point-of-sale system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Online Purchases<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Customers shopping at\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/dubaidutyfree.com\/\">dubaidutyfree.com<\/a>\u00a0can select Crypto.com Pay\u2122 as a payment option during checkout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A secure integration with Crypto.com generates a unique QR code, which customers scan using the Crypto.com App before confirming payment from their wallet. Upon successful authorization, the order is immediately confirmed through Dubai Duty Free\u2019s existing order management system.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mobile Experience<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Customers shopping on a mobile device will be redirected directly to the Crypto.com App after selecting Crypto.com Pay\u2122, allowing them to review and approve the transaction before seamlessly returning to Dubai Duty Free to complete their purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The introduction of Crypto.com Pay\u2122 builds on Dubai Duty Free\u2019s long-standing commitment to payment innovation, complementing existing payment solutions including Apple Pay, Alipay and TerraPay. The launch further strengthens Dubai Duty Free\u2019s digital payment ecosystem while supporting the Dubai Cashless Strategy under the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims for 90% of financial transactions across the public and private sectors to become cashless by the end of 2026, reinforcing Dubai\u2019s position as a global leader in innovation, tourism and digital commerce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"950\" height=\"633\" src=\"https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24664\"\/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dubai Duty Free has officially launched Crypto.com Pay\u2122, becoming the first airport retailer in the Middle East to introduce the regulated digital payment solution. Eligible customers can now use Crypto.com Pay\u2122 when shopping at Dubai Duty Free both in Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (AMIA), as well as online at\u00a0dubaidutyfree.com\u00a0. With [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":24664,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24661","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled.png",950,633,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled.png",950,633,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled.png",950,633,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled-300x200.png",300,200,true],"large":["https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled.png",950,633,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled.png",950,633,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled.png",950,633,false],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled-755x420.png",755,420,true],"graptor-sq-xs":["https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Untitled-100x100.png",100,100,true]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Admin CG","author_link":"https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/author\/admin-cg\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">news<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Dubai Duty Free has officially launched Crypto.com Pay\u2122, becoming the first airport retailer in the Middle East to introduce the regulated digital payment solution. Eligible customers can now use Crypto.com Pay\u2122 when shopping at Dubai Duty Free both in Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (AMIA), as well as online at\u00a0dubaidutyfree.com\u00a0. With&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24661","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24661"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24661\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24665,"href":"https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24661\/revisions\/24665"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24664"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24661"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24661"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cryptounplugged.ai\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24661"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}