Dubai said it will enable individuals and businesses to use cryptocurrency to pay for government services as the Emirate bids to position itself as a digital economy.
Dubai to Enable Residents to Pay in Crypto for Government Services
23 May 2025 - 16:21 CEST
Dubai Finance (DOF) and the cryptocurrency trading platform Crypto.com signed an accord that aims to provide a secure and streamlined payment process for all government fees, including road tolls, property service charges and housing fees as part of its “cashless strategy” introduced in Oct 2024.
Cashless strategy
Speaking at the Dubai FinTech Summit, where the agreement with Crypto.com was announced, His Excellency Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, Secretary General of The Executive Council of Dubai, said:
“As a global leader in digital transformation, the emirate is further strengthening its position by deploying the latest secure financial technology solutions that support its cashless strategy, streamline government transactions, and foster innovation in financial services.”
97% of all Dubai government transactions in 2023 were digital. And one of the objectives of the Dubai Cashless Strategy is that all transactions, across both government and private sectors, become cashless.
90% transactions by 2026
HE Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism said:
“This initiative…will support our goal to have 90% of all transactions conducted digitally by 2026, driving economic growth and solidifying Dubai’s standing as a global hub for business and finance.”
According to recent research from the cards and payments company Visa, about 77% of transactions in the UAE are currently digital, suggesting that Dubai is well on its way to reaching the announced target.
Dubai’s actions have attracted some of the biggest names in crypto to take a closer interest in the desert metropolis. In March, Ripple became the first blockchain-enabled payments provider to be licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority and is working with Zand Bank and Mamo on a cross-border payments solution.
