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Dubai has officially become one of the first governments in the world to accept crypto payments for public service fees. On the 12th of May, 2025, Dubai’s Department of Finance (DOF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Crypto.com, marking a landmark move that places Dubai at the forefront of digital financial innovation. The agreement enables Dubai government service users, which includes many businesses, to pay for government service fees with large-cap coins. Payments will be sent through crypto wallets managed by Crypto.com and converted into Emirati dirhams within a secure payment framework, providing users with greater flexibility, choice and security.
Following the Government of Dubai’s innovative decision to accept crypto payments through Crypto.com, we explore what this means for local businesses, as well as looking at similar initiatives by governments and regions around the world to integrate payments with digital assets.
Dubai moves towards a cashless society
Integrating cryptocurrency payments aligns with Dubai’s broader Cashless Strategy, which aims to transition the emirate to a fully cashless society by 2026. The objective is for 90% of all public and private sector transactions to be digital, reinforcing Dubai’s ambition to become a global hub for secure and efficient digital payments, as well as enhancing trust in public services. As the country’s fintech sector continues to expand, the new Strategy is expected to fuel growth and inject at least 8 million AED into the economy.
Commenting on the DOF’s agreement with Crypto.com, Secretary General of The Executive Council of Dubai, His Excellency Abdulla Mohammed Al Basti, stated that the decision “[strengthens the emirate’s] position by deploying the latest secure financial technology solutions that support its cashless strategy, streamline government transactions, and foster innovation in financial services.” Crypto.com president and COO Eric Anziani stated, “we are excited to bring our capabilities and innovative thinking to catalyse this progress and we recognise the exceptional vision of Dubai’s leadership in shaping the future of economic growth with ambitious programmes such as these.”
Governments around the world accept crypto payments
While forward-thinking, Dubai is not the first government in the world to accept crypto payments. On the other side of the world in Panama City, the local government has also made a landmark decision to accept crypto payments for municipal charges, including taxes, fees, permits, and tickets. In September 2021, El Salvador also made history by announcing plans to adopt Bitcoin as a legitimate national currency. Simultaneously, the country also issued all citizens with a Chivo Wallet, a state-backed digital wallet allowing users to transact in both Bitcoin and U.S. dollars without fees. The U.S. government has also initiated state-level discussions on the integration of cryptocurrencies into national strategies.
While not yet accepting crypto payments into the government’s financial system, Presidential support of crypto led to a signed Executive Order. The Order, signed in early 2025, declared a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve would be created allowing the government to harness the 198,109 bitcoins seized through judiciary proceedings. The milestone decision was headline news, helping to generate public awareness, curiosity and knowledge of cryptocurrencies. As global crypto adoption increases, with 867 million holders expected by the end of 2025, governments and businesses are likely to face demands for seamless, regulated crypto integration.
What do crypto payments mean for local businesses?
The Government of Dubai’s plans to move towards a cashless society with the integration of crypto payments is a window of opportunity for local businesses. As cryptocurrency becomes a fully sanctioned and integrated payment option, businesses will gain greater flexibility, security, transparency, speed and cost-efficiency when it comes to executing transactions. While implementation is yet to be completely rolled out, businesses that start to integrate crypto-compatible accounting and payment systems will see benefits that stretch beyond national borders.
Crypto payments offer significant advantages for both businesses and individual users seeking to send and receive money overseas. The intrinsic borderless nature of the blockchain means that cryptocurrency has the status of an international currency, free from the constraints and restrictions often associated with cross-border fiat transfers. Sending digital assets across geographical borders is typically faster, cheaper and more transparent than traditional international money transfers. Crypto’s decentralized functionality means fewer to zero intermediaries in the payment chain and end-to-end auditable traceability, allowing payers and receivers to see exactly where funds are at all times.
For more on crypto trends, or to learn how to integrate crypto payments into your business’ workflow, visit www.forumpay.com, or get in touch with our sales team to discuss any questions you may have.
