The future is taking off – and this time literally: Emirates, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious airlines, has set foot in the crypto world. According to Reuters, the Dubai-based company has reached an agreement in principle with the crypto exchange Crypto.com. The aim is to enable crypto payments for passengers in the future – a technological quantum leap in the aviation industry.

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The plans are ambitious. As early as 2026, the first Emirates passengers should be able to pay with Bitcoin, Ethereum & Co. – both when booking and for additional services on board, as “Reuters” reports. For many, this may sound futuristic, but behind this step is a clear strategy: Emirates wants to specifically open up to the young, tech-savvy generation. A target group that no longer pays with credit card or PayPal, but operates with wallets and blockchain identities.

Crypto News: Emirates Takes off with Crypto.Com

Adnan Kazim, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates, emphasized in this context that the decision was a clear sign of innovation and customer orientation. The deal with Crypto.com should initially be understood as a preliminary agreement – but one with enormous signal character for the entire sector.

Because the advance is no coincidence. The United Arab Emirates have long been regarded as a global pioneer in crypto adoption. The country is not only investing heavily in digital infrastructures, but since 2022 has also offered its own regulatory body for the crypto market with the “Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority” (VARA). Anyone who wants to operate there will find clear rules – a circumstance that attracts start-ups as well as aviation giants.

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The Emirates had already made headlines on Monday when they confirmed the approval of the first tokenized money market fund – a milestone in the interaction of traditional financial instruments and blockchain technology. Against this background, Emirates’ entry into the crypto sector does not seem like a PR gag, but like the next logical step of a country that wants to develop into a global crypto hub.

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The cooperation with Crypto.com is a smart move. The Singapore-based exchange has developed into one of the world’s leading providers in recent years – not only in trading, but also in payment solutions and tokenization of assets. The fact that Emirates, a flagship of the Arab economy, is choosing this partner could give the entire industry a new boost.

What does that mean for passengers in concrete terms? According to the plan, anyone who flies with Emirates in the future should not only collect miles, but also be able to pay with cryptocurrencies – for seat upgrades, internet access, lounges or in the duty-free shop. Whether NFT tickets or blockchain-based loyalty programs will follow is open – but not excluded.

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The fact is: the sky is no longer the limit. Emirates demonstrates that crypto is no longer a niche phenomenon, but is on its way to becoming a global standard. And whoever pays in Bitcoin 13,000 meters above the ground may not only have a window seat – but also a glimpse into the future. (mck)

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