What licence did Crypto.com receive in the UAE?

Crypto.com received a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) licence from the Central Bank of the UAE through its local entity, allowing it to operate regulated crypto payment services in the country.

Why is this licence significant?

Crypto.com said it became the first virtual asset service provider in the UAE to obtain this type of approval, strengthening its ability to offer regulated crypto payment infrastructure.

What services will the licence enable?

The approval will allow Dubai residents to pay certain government fees using cryptocurrencies through Crypto.com’s regulated payment platform.

How will government payments work?

Users will reportedly initiate payments using supported cryptocurrencies, while final settlements to government agencies will occur in UAE dirhams or approved dirham-backed stablecoins.

Who is Crypto.com partnering with in Dubai?

Crypto.com is working with the Dubai Department of Finance to integrate cryptocurrency payment options into government services.

Will the UAE government directly hold cryptocurrencies?

No. The arrangement is designed so that government entities receive settlements in local currency rather than directly holding volatile crypto assets.

What are dirham-backed stablecoins?

Dirham-backed stablecoins are digital tokens pegged to the value of the UAE dirham and typically backed by reserves designed to maintain price stability.

Could this expand beyond government fees?

Yes. Crypto.com said the licence could eventually support additional payment integrations involving Emirates Airlines and Dubai Duty Free if further approvals are granted.

Crypto.com secures UAE payments licence for Dubai fees

Written by Heidi Cuthbert Published May. 11 2026Last Updated May. 11 2026

Crypto.com said its UAE entity received a Stored Value Facilities licence from the Central Bank of the UAE, becoming the first virtual asset service provider in the country to secure the approval.

The licence allows Crypto.com to move beyond its earlier in-principle approval status and begin operating regulated stored-value payment services within the Emirates.

Under the arrangement, Dubai residents will soon be able to pay government service fees using cryptocurrencies through Crypto.com’s licensed UAE platform in partnership with the Dubai Department of Finance.

All transactions will reportedly settle in UAE dirhams or approved dirham-backed stablecoins under the central bank’s regulatory framework while government agencies continue receiving local currency settlements.

Eric Anziani said the approval reflected the company’s “strong commitment to compliance” as the exchange expands regulated payment infrastructure in the region.

Crypto.com also said the licence may eventually support additional crypto payment integrations involving Emirates Airlines and Dubai Duty Free after obtaining further regulatory approvals from UAE authorities.

The development aligns with Dubai’s broader push toward digital payments and blockchain adoption through its Dubai Cashless Strategy, which aims to achieve 90% cashless transactions across government and private sectors by 2026.

The UAE has increasingly positioned itself as a global hub for regulated digital asset activity by introducing licensing frameworks for crypto exchanges, stablecoins and tokenised financial infrastructure.