Dubai’s Department of Finance (DoF), in collaboration with Dubai Land Department (DLD) and with the support of Dubai Pay platform from Digital Dubai Authority, as well as Foris Dax, represented by Crypto.com and Emirates NBD, have successfully trialed the payment settlement of cryptocurrencies to AED Dirhams and AED stablecoin for Dubai government services fees. The DLD explained that the transaction tested successfully was for the “Issuance of a Property Map” service, as part of testing new technologies and systems within a secure environment before the official launch in the future.

This is part of the conceptualization of City as a service. As per the press release, the test transaction was processed via the platform operated by Foris Dax Middle East, the first Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in the UAE to obtain an in-principle approval from the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates for a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) license.

H.E. Hamad Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai Authority, stated, “The initial implementation of paying government service fees using digital assets marks a new milestone in Dubai’s journey toward full digital transformation. It’s a major step forward in realizing the concept of ‘City as a Service,’ where modern financial technologies integrate seamlessly with government service systems in one secure and frictionless experience.”

He also explained that this will enable individuals and businesses to pay government fees using digital assets, and this reflects the city’s ability to anticipate the future and embrace technologies that redefine the relationship between government and customer. According to him, the step not only diversifies payment options but also reinforces a fully integrated digital economic model that supports Dubai’s Cashless Strategy, contributes to the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), and enhances the overall efficiency of government services.

His Excellency Abdulrahman Al Saleh, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Finance, affirmed that this successful pilot “represents a proactive step toward the future of digital transactions in the emirate.” He added that it falls within Dubai’s ongoing efforts to adopt advanced financial technologies in line with the highest standards of security and compliance. “At Dubai Finance, we are working to explore innovative financial solutions that enhance the government payment ecosystem and accelerate the transition toward a fully digital economy, in alignment with the vision of our wise leadership,” he said.

Earlier this year Dubai Land Department had noted that by the end of the year they would be accepting crypto payments. Omar Bushahab, Director General of the Dubai Land Department, noted, “We are working with our partners to ensure the readiness of the technical infrastructure and full regulatory compliance before proceeding to actual deployment,” he said.

Ahmed Meftah, Executive Director of the Central Accounts Sector at Dubai’s Department of Finance, stated: “Through this pilot, we aim to validate the operational and technical efficiency of the systems to ensure the highest levels of security once officially adopted in the future.”

Amina Lootah, Director of Digital Payment Systems Regulation at Dubai’s Department of Finance, confirmed that the first-of-its-kind government transaction—settling digital assets in dirhams—was successfully executed within a secure, closed environment. The transaction’s value was settled in UAE dirhams through fully integrated systems ensuring complete regulatory compliance. She added that this achievement forms part of Dubai Finance’s ongoing efforts to implement the Dubai Cashless Strategy, which aims to make 90% of all financial transactions in the emirate digital by 2026.

Eric Anziani, President and COO of Crypto.com Group commented “The Government of Dubai has been a true global visionary with its plans for a cashless society. We are proud to support Dubai’s Department of Finance in its efforts as part of this initiative and the delivery of the first comprehensive and holistic Government-wide implementation of digitalization of payments. We are excited to bring our capabilities and innovative thinking to catalyze this progress.”

Mohammed Al Hakim, President and General Manager – UAE at Foris Dax Middle East, explained that the milestone comes within the framework of the preliminary approval granted by the UAE Central Bank, marking a preparatory phase toward building a secure and sustainable digital payment ecosystem that serves both the government and society.

Ahmed Al Qassim, Group Head of Corporate and Institutional Banking at Emirates NBD,concluded, “Our participation in this pilot reflects our firm commitment to supporting Dubai’s ambition to become a leading global hub for innovation and digital finance. We are proud to collaborate with Dubai’s Department of Finance in laying the foundation for a strong and resilient financial ecosystem of the future.”