UAE Embraces Blockchain at the Pump with Crypto.com Partnership

Crypto.com has partnered with Emirates General Petroleum Corporation, EMARAT, a UAE state-owned oil company, to allow cryptocurrency payments at gas stations across the United Arab Emirates, marking a first for the Middle East and North Africa region. 

The partnership was announced on May 8, 2025, and is in line with the UAE’s plan to lead in blockchain and digital finance. It also supports Emarat’s “Project Landmark” program to integrate technologies into customer experiences.

First UAE Fuel Stations to Accept Cryptocurrency  

The partnership will introduce crypto payments at ten Emarat service stations in Dubai and the Northern Emirates starting in Q3 2025, following a general rollout to ensure operational stability.  The program is set to expand across Emarat’s network, estimated at over 150 stations. 

Crypto.com partnership announcement (Source: X)

Customers can pay for fuel as well as items in the convenience store using cryptocurrencies listed on Crypto.com’s platform, such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, with the payments being settled via Crypto.com’s payment gateway.

A Crypto.com spokesperson described the partnership as a step toward connecting digital finance to daily transactions, stating, “We’re excited to work with Emarat to bring crypto payments to fuel stations.” 

Emarat stated the program’s role in retail innovation, commenting, “This collaboration offers secure and modern payment options to enhance customer convenience.”

Crypto.com’s payment infrastructure aims to ease transactions, though details on associated fees have not been disclosed. 

The service targets the UAE’s population, including expatriates and tourists familiar with digital currencies, offering a secure alternative to traditional payment methods.

Dubai’s Blockchain Vision Drives Crypto Adoption  

The partnership follows the UAE’s growing stature as a cryptocurrency hub, driven by Dubai’s regulatory and technological advancements.

The Dubai Blockchain Strategy, launched in 2018, and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), established in 2022, have provided a supportive environment for digital assets. 

The UAE’s cryptocurrency market is projected to be valued at $254.3 million in 2025, with 3.78 million users and a 39.13% penetration rate, according to Statista’s estimation, showing the country’s tech-savvy population and policies.

The TOKEN2049 conference, held in Dubai from April 30 to May 1, 2025, attracted global blockchain leaders, growing the UAE’s role in the industry. 

Beyond fuel stations, crypto adoption is expanding in real estate and hospitality, with firms like DAMAC accepting Bitcoin for property purchases since 2022.

UAE’s Crypto Experiment Could Inspire the Region

The Crypto.com-Emarat partnership could pave the way for other traditional industries in the region to adopt crypto payments. 

By improving customer convenience, Emarat’s goal aligns with the UAE’s vision of a digital-first economy, which could potentially accelerate crypto’s mainstream use.

As the first phase goes live in Q3 2025, Crypto.com and Emarat plan to collect customer feedback to improve the system, with possible expansion to additional stations by 2026.

With the UAE’s crypto market projected to grow, crypto payments at gas stations could become a routine part of life and a testament to the global acceptance of digital currencies in the region.