Dubai has successfully completed a pilot test enabling residents to pay government service fees using cryptocurrency, with instant settlement in UAE dirhams.
Key Takeaways
- Dubai’s Department of Finance partnered with the Dubai Land Department to complete a test payment using digital assets through the Dubai Pay platform.
- The transaction converted crypto to AED fiat or AED stablecoin, executed within a secure and compliant environment.
- The pilot was conducted with Foris Dax Middle East (Crypto.com), which has received in-principle approval from the UAE Central Bank for a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) license.
- This initiative supports Dubai’s Cashless Strategy and the city’s long-term digital transformation goals under the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).
What Happened?
Dubai’s Department of Finance (DoF) and Dubai Land Department (DLD) successfully tested a government payment using cryptocurrency that settled in UAE dirhams. The transaction was executed for the issuance of a property map, through the Dubai Pay platform, in collaboration with Emirates NBD Bank and Digital Dubai Authority.
Historic milestone for Dubai 🇦🇪 we successfully completed the first government transaction in the UAE settled through digital assets in dirhams, in collaboration with @DubaiDOF, @Land_Department & @DigitalDubai via #DubaiPay.
— محمد الحكيم (@Mohammadhakim_) October 15, 2025
Proud to lead this at @cryptocom.#Dubai #Fintech pic.twitter.com/gsyCiZcxQY
The test marks the first government transaction using digital assets settled in AED, part of a larger initiative toward a fully digital payment ecosystem.
Moving Toward a Digital Payment Future
The pilot test is a significant milestone in Dubai’s effort to integrate modern financial technologies into government services. It reflects the city’s ongoing vision of building a “City as a Service” model, where the public can interact with authorities through seamless digital channels.
Key elements of the pilot include:
- Conducted through Dubai Pay, managed by Digital Dubai Authority.
- Supported by Emirates NBD, validating technical and operational efficiency.
- Executed by Foris Dax Middle East, the local entity of Crypto.com, which is awaiting final approval to operate under a full SVF license.
- Settled in UAE dirhams or AED-pegged stablecoins, depending on the transaction.
Officials emphasized that the pilot was carried out within a closed and secure environment, meeting full regulatory compliance before any public rollout.
Government Leaders Emphasize Innovation and Security
His Excellency Abdulrahman Al Saleh, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Finance, highlighted the significance of the pilot: “This represents a proactive step toward the future of digital transactions in the emirate.” He noted that Dubai is committed to exploring innovative financial solutions that meet the highest standards of security and compliance.
H.E. Hamad Al Mansoori, Director General of the Digital Dubai Authority, said: “This marks a new milestone in Dubai’s journey toward full digital transformation.” He emphasized how this supports the Cashless Strategy and Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) by offering secure, diverse payment options.
Omar Bushahab, Director General of the Dubai Land Department, stated the test reflects a broader government commitment to advanced technologies, adding that full implementation will follow only after technical readiness and regulatory alignment.
Industry Participation and Future Outlook
Crypto.com’s role in the pilot reflects Dubai’s growing trust in licensed virtual asset providers. Eric Anziani, President and COO of Crypto.com, praised Dubai’s vision, calling it the “first comprehensive government-wide implementation of digital payment digitization.”
Mohammed Al Hakim, General Manager at Foris Dax Middle East, said the pilot represents a preparatory phase toward a sustainable and secure digital payment infrastructure.
Amina Lootah, Director of Digital Payment Systems Regulation at the DoF, noted that this was the first-of-its-kind transaction settled in dirhams using crypto, executed with fully integrated systems.
CoinLaw’s Takeaway
This is a huge leap forward for government finance systems. In my experience, most governments move slowly when it comes to crypto, but Dubai is clearly sprinting ahead. They’re not just talking about innovation, they’re building real systems and testing them in secure environments. I found it especially encouraging that this test included fiat AED and AED stablecoins, offering flexibility while staying compliant. This level of readiness makes Dubai a global leader in public-sector crypto adoption. If the rollout continues at this pace, Dubai could become the first major city to fully normalize crypto payments in government services.
