Shiba Inu ($SHIB) has taken another step toward mainstream use. Dubai Duty Free has integrated Crypto(.)com Pay at its airport stores, making it the first airport retailer in the Middle East
Shiba Inu ($SHIB) has taken another step toward mainstream use. Dubai Duty Free has integrated Crypto(.)com Pay at its airport stores, making it the first airport retailer in the Middle East to offer the regulated digital payment option.
Dubai Duty Free has become the first airport retailer in the Middle East to introduce Crypto(.)com Pay, enabling eligible customers to make purchases using the regulated digital payment solution across its retail outlets at Dubai International Airport (DXB), Al Maktoum International Airport, and through its online store. Customers can use $SHIB and 29 other cryptocurrencies at physical stores in DXB and DWC airports, as well as on its official website.
Eligible customers shopping at Dubai Duty Free, whether in-store or online, can authorise payments using their Crypto(.)com account at checkout. Transactions are processed securely through Crypto(.)com's regulated payment infrastructure, with settlement in UAE Dirhams (AED) to Dubai Duty Free. The instant conversion shields retailers from crypto price swings, removing a key concern for merchants considering digital asset payments.
Crypto(.)com is the first Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in the UAE to receive a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) licence from the Central Bank of the UAE, enabling it to provide regulated payment services in accordance with the conditions of that licence.
The rollout marks the implementation of the strategic partnership established between Dubai Duty Free and Crypto(.)com in July 2025, when the two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore blockchain-enabled payment solutions and broader digital innovation initiatives across Dubai Duty Free's operations.
The timing follows a similar move by Emirates Airlines. Emirates Airlines integrated Crypto(.)com Pay, allowing customers to book flights using Shiba Inu ($SHIB) and 29 other cryptocurrencies via its website and app. Together, the two integrations signal a coordinated effort to embed crypto payments across Dubai's key transport and retail hubs.
Both moves are consistent with the emirate's wider economic targets. Digital Dubai launched the Dubai Cashless Strategy to enhance secure digital payment solutions across government and private sectors. This initiative aligns with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), with the strategy aiming for cashless transactions to account for 90 percent of all transactions by 2026, potentially boosting economic growth by over AED 8 billion annually through fintech innovation.
For $SHIB, the Dubai Duty Free listing extends the memecoin's footprint in real-world commerce and adds to a growing list of merchants in the UAE willing to accept it at the point of sale.
Sources:Dubai Media Office: Dubai Duty Free Introduces Crypto(.)com PayDigital Dubai: Dubai Cashless Strategy LaunchMoodie Davitt Report: Dubai Duty Free and Crypto(.)com Pay
