Abu Dhabi Airports is preparing to bring crypto payments to Zayed International Airport through a partnership with Al Hail Holding and fintech firm Xare. The initiative will allow travelers to pay with Bitcoin, stablecoins, and other digital assets across airport services.
The agreement was signed in October 2025. The project is currently in the pilot stage, with testing and operational planning underway.
Regulated Wallet System Under Development
The companies are developing a regulated digital wallet for inbound travelers. The wallet is designed to support cashless transactions and connect users to payment services across the airport.
The project falls under the oversight of Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and its Financial Services Regulatory Authority. The partners are building the system within an existing regulatory framework rather than testing it outside official rules.
Abu Dhabi Airports will provide infrastructure and ecosystem support. Al Hail Holding is handling regulatory and financial matters, while Xare will supply the technology behind onboarding, payments, and merchant connections. A joint steering committee has been formed to supervise the rollout.
UAE Expands Crypto Payment Push
The airport project comes as the UAE increases efforts to bring digital assets into everyday use. Emirates Airlines has already signed an agreement with Crypto.com to introduce crypto payments, with a launch planned for 2026.
With both the country’s flagship airline and Abu Dhabi’s main airport working on crypto payment systems, the UAE appears to be building a broader digital payments network rather than running isolated experiments.
The initiative also supports the UAE Digital Economy Strategy and Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030. Beyond payments, the partnership includes plans for AI systems, smart transport technologies, and infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving efficiency and sustainability across the airport network.
Stablecoins Could Reduce Currency Friction
Zayed International Airport handles travelers from dozens of countries. Multiple currencies create payment friction for visitors arriving in the UAE.
Stablecoins pegged to the US dollar could simplify transactions by reducing exchange costs and allowing travelers to use a single digital asset across airport services. The partners plan to integrate stablecoins alongside Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies through the new wallet system.
Xare said the technology is intended to create a seamless payment experience from arrival to departure while opening new opportunities for merchants and airport services. However, the project has not yet reached commercial launch. No merchant acceptance figures or transaction volume data have been released.
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