Dubai Duty Free Signs MoU With Crypto.com to Explore Cryptocurrency Payments and Strategic Collaboration

The Dubai Duty Free Crypto.com partnership officially began when the two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to look into cryptocurrency payments and work together strategically. This move is a big step towards bringing digital assets into one of the busiest shopping areas in the world, which fits with Dubai’s goals for fintech-led growth.

The MoU paves the way for exploring crypto payments at Dubai Duty Free both in-store and online, offering travelers more diverse and innovative payment options and expanding collaborations through strategic partnerships, joint marketing campaigns, and customer engagement programs that leverage the strengths of both organisations.

The agreement was signed at the Emirates Headquarters by Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free and Mohammed Al Hakim, President of UAE Operations at Crypto.com. The signing took place in the presence of HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free.

Commenting on the MoU signing, Cidambi said, “This MoU underscores our commitment to innovation and to providing greater convenience and choice for our customers. As a global hub welcoming millions of travellers, Dubai Duty Free continually seeks to enhance the retail experience. We believe that embracing digital currency payments, such as cryptocurrency, is a forward-looking step that will add significant value for our diverse customer base and support our vision for sustained growth.”

Eric Anziani, President and COO, Crypto.com said, “We’re delighted to complete the signing of this important MoU with Dubai Duty Free. As we continue to expand the everyday use case for crypto, integration with exceptional partners such as Dubai Duty Free will bring real momentum to the digital asset industry and enable both companies to offer genuine innovative finance solutions for our customers. We look forward to working together as we continue to build our crypto offering in the GCC.”

Alain Yacine. President of Middle East, Crypto.com added, “Our focus is on developing a comprehensive and exceptional suite of products for our customers, which leverage the potential of digital finance and drive expansion of this critical sector. Signing an MoU with Dubai Duty Free will provide us a platform to achieve this with an exceptional partner in the region and we’re thrilled at the prospect of working with them on this venture.”

This move aligns with Dubai Duty Free’s strong performance in the first half of the year, where it recorded a turnover of AED 4.118 billion (US$ 1.128 billion), representing a 5.34% increase compared to the same period last year.

Dubai Duty Free’s plan to accept cryptocurrency marks more than just a new way to pay; it’s a bold step toward redefining the future of travel retail. By bringing together convenience, security, and innovation, the airport shopping experience is poised to become more dynamic and cutting edge than ever before.

Introducing crypto payments will help Dubai Duty Free cater to a wider spectrum of customer preferences while staying firmly aligned with the UAE’s vision of fostering innovation and driving digital transformation across both retail and financial sectors.

As a brand long recognised for its pioneering spirit in technology and strategic collaborations, Dubai Duty Free continues to push the boundaries of digital payments. Over the years, Dubai Duty Free has embraced solutions like Alipay and TerraPay, and through its partnerships with leading payment providers, it is building a future ready ecosystem that reinforces its reputation as an innovator in global travel retail.

The Dubai Duty Free Crypto.com partnership sets the stage for future crypto payment solutions in global retail by signing the MoU. This makes Dubai a leader in fintech.