RegulationMiddle East
|2 min ReadDubai Finishes Crypto Payment Pilot for Government Services
Tariq Al-Saidi
Senior Analyst
Published
Jan 16, 2026
First successful settlement in digital assets
Dubai just moved another step closer to becoming a fully digital economy. The city’s Department of Finance has completed a pilot test that let citizens pay government service fees using digital assets, instantly settled in UAE dirhams.
The test was carried out with the Dubai Land Department through the Dubai Pay platform and overseen by the Digital Dubai Authority. The pilot transaction—processed by the licensed virtual asset service provider Dax Middle East—covered the issuance of a property map. Officials said the test ran in a secure environment before expanding to broader services.
Abdulrahman Al Saleh, director general of the Department of Finance, called the pilot “a proactive step toward the future of digital transactions.” He said it fits Dubai’s vision to use advanced financial technology with strong security and compliance standards.
Toward a cashless government
Hamad Al Mansoori, director general of the Digital Dubai Authority, called the project a milestone in the emirate’s digital transformation. “This marks a major step forward in realizing the concept of ‘City as a Service,’ where financial technologies integrate seamlessly with government systems,” he said.
The pilot supports Dubai’s Cashless Strategy, which aims to digitize 90 percent of all financial transactions by 2026. Amina Lootah, director of Digital Payment Systems Regulation at the Department of Finance, confirmed the payment met all regulatory standards and was fully settled in dirhams.
Industry figures were quick to praise the move. Eric Anziani, president and COO of Crypto.com Group, called Dubai a “global visionary” in its drive toward a cashless society. Mohammed Al Hakim of Foris Dax Middle East described the test as a foundation for a secure digital payment ecosystem.
A glimpse of Dubai’s digital future
The pilot underscores how far Dubai has gone in linking crypto with real-world utility. It shows how government payments could soon be processed on blockchain rails without disrupting local currency stability.
The Department of Finance says the next phase will scale these payments across more government services. For Dubai, it’s not just about crypto—it’s about proving a modern state can run on digital value, instantly and securely. Very strong.
Disclaimer: This document is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed in this document are not, and should not be taken as, investment advice or recommendations. Recipients should do their own due diligence, taking into account their specific financial circumstances, investment objectives and risk tolerance, which are not considered here, before investing. This document is not an offer, or the solicitation of an offer, to buy or sell any of the assets mentioned.