Crypto.com project has reached a new level of regulatory achievement in the United Arab Emirates when the Central Bank of the UAE granted the company a complete Stored Value Facilities license.
This new Crypto.com license makes the platform the only Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in the region that can provide crypto payment services to the Dubai government’s institutions. It also opens the door to potential future crypto payment services with Emirates and Dubai Duty Free.
After receiving in-principle approval under the Stored Value Facilities framework in October 2025, Crypto.com became the only legally authorized operator in the UAE’s growing digital assets sector. Residents can pay for government services using cryptocurrency through the VARA-regulated platform by Crypto.com.
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Crypto.com License Supports Dubai Government Payments
This marks the official kick-off of the partnership between Crypto.com and the Dubai Department of Finance, which was initially unveiled at the Dubai FinTech Summit in May 2025. This partnership will enable UAE citizens to make payments for certain government services using crypto assets.
Through the payment process, transactions can only be done using the UAE dirhams and stablecoins that are backed by the UAE dirhams and are regulated by the Central Bank. The cryptocurrency can be converted into the local currency before being credited to the government accounts.
The Crypto.com licence would also play a part in Dubai’s broader D33 strategy that seeks to ensure that 90% of all transactions conducted in the country become cashless. Government officials believe that this process will result in at least AED 8 billion being generated by the emirate each year.
Eric Anziani, President and COO, noted that this was a significant accomplishment in line with their compliance efforts and growth in the digital asset sector in the UAE.
Emirates and Dubai Duty Free Integration Nears Launch
In addition, the license will take care of one more crucial regulatory need for its partnership plans with Emirates Airlines and Dubai Duty Free. Upon completion of the final formalities at the Central Bank, Crypto.com would be able to offer cryptocurrency payment solutions to these firms.
These agreements were first inked in July 2025 in the presence of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who is the Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and also the CEO of Emirates Airline & Group.
The plans are to adopt digital asset payments on their booking platform by 2026, becoming the world’s largest airline to accept direct cryptocurrency payments.
Meanwhile, Dubai Duty Free is getting ready to launch its crypto payment services in airport retail shops and online retail stores operating in Dubai International Airport.
However, Crypto.com is already licensed under the category of VASP by the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority to provide trading and derivatives services. This enables it to conduct additional activities related to payments and stored value in the UAE.
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