From Dirhams to digital: Dubai lets you pay government fees in crypto

Dubai Finance (DOF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Crypto.com, a globally recognised cryptocurrency trading platform. This partnership aims to enable the payment of government service fees using cryptocurrencies—marking a significant step in advancing digital finance on a global scale, according to a WAM report.

Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding

The MoU was signed in the presence of Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary-General of The Executive Council of Dubai, and Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh, Director-General of DOF.

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The agreement was formalised by Ahmad Ali Meftah, Executive Director of the Central Accounts Sector at DOF, and Mohammed Al Hakim, President of Crypto.com UAE. Crypto.com is licensed by Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).

The signing took place on the sidelines of DOF and Crypto.com’s participation in the Dubai FinTech Summit, which opened today at the Dubai International Financial Centre. The agreement represents a key milestone in Dubai’s digital finance journey.

Supporting the Dubai Cashless Strategy

The partnership supports the implementation of the Dubai Cashless Strategy by enabling secure, efficient, and inclusive financial transactions through cryptocurrencies. It paves the way for Dubai’s transition to a fully digital, cashless society, empowering the Government of Dubai to introduce a new digital payment channel across official platforms.

This initiative will enable seamless and secure payments for government services using stable cryptocurrencies, further strengthening Dubai’s position as a global hub for financial innovation.

Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti stated that adopting secure cryptocurrency solutions within government payment systems reflects a proactive approach to addressing future needs and responding to global economic shifts.

“Dubai continues to advance through coordinated efforts across government entities and key sectors to meet and exceed the expectations of individuals, businesses, and the wider community. As a global leader in digital transformation, the emirate is further solidifying its status by deploying secure financial technology solutions that support its cashless strategy, streamline government transactions, and foster innovation in financial services,” Al Basti added.

Strategic financial innovation

Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh emphasised DOF’s commitment to driving the Cashless Strategy and supporting Dubai’s digital financial future.

“The MoU with Crypto.com is pivotal in accelerating the strategy’s objectives—aligning with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to enhance Dubai’s global standing in digital payments. We will continue collaborating with government entities and leading financial service providers to develop innovative solutions that support the digital economy,” he said.

Dubai’s vision for a cashless society

Eric Anziani, President and COO of Crypto.com, praised the Dubai Government’s vision:

“We are honoured to support Dubai’s Department of Finance in implementing the first comprehensive, government-wide digitisation of payments. Dubai’s leadership continues to set a global benchmark for economic innovation through initiatives like these.”

Ahmad Ali Meftah reaffirmed DOF’s commitment to adopting cutting-edge financial technologies to realise Dubai’s ambition of becoming a global digital payments hub.

Driving economic transformation

“Public-private collaboration is key to this transformation. We are actively building a regulatory framework that balances innovation with the highest standards of security and efficiency. This boosts public trust in government services and unlocks new avenues for economic growth,” Meftah noted.

Mohammed Al Hakim, President of Crypto.com UAE, added: “This partnership represents a significant leap forward for digital finance, integrating cryptocurrency into government payment systems. As part of the D33 agenda, we’re honoured to support Dubai’s efforts to transform its economic model and lead the way in sustainable digital diversification.”

Amna Mohammed Lootah, Director of Digital Payment Systems Regulation, said: “The Dubai Cashless Strategy targets conducting over 90 per cent of all financial transactions through cashless methods by 2026. This agreement with a globally renowned cryptocurrency platform is groundbreaking—it allows government service users to pay fees via digital currencies, an unprecedented step in the global financial landscape.”

Economic impact of the cashless strategy

The Dubai Cashless Strategy is expected to contribute at least Dh8bn annually to the local economy. This will be driven by the expansion of innovative financial services and the growth of Dubai’s fintech sector.

Once technical arrangements are completed, individual and business users will be able to pay government service fees via Crypto.com’s digital wallets. Payments will be converted into Emirati dirhams and transferred to Dubai Finance accounts, ensuring a streamlined, secure, and innovative payment process.