The wings of blockchain are spreading from place to place, planting the technology and opening new doors of the digital world. Some places welcomed the technology, adopting blockchain, unlocking regulations, and launching cryptocurrencies. The UAE, the leading power in the Gulf region’s digital asset industry, is a core gem in the eyes of the crypto industry.
And why? The administration here proudly accepts innovations, and hence, the blockchain industry! One significant industry that needs to be overlooked is the telecom sector, which is digitally booming as well as adopting blockchain innovation.
From sector to sector, crypto integration in the UAE grows…
As this title reads, the crypto wave is swiftly moving across sectors, showering them with new ideas to incorporate cryptocurrency into daily life needs. Emirates Airlines of Dubai and Air Arabia of Sharjah will soon accept cryptocurrency for booking flights. Air Arabia will use the UAE’s own stablecoin, AE Coin (AEC). This is an instance of a use case of crypto in the aviation sector. The transportation industry is also not an exception. Twasul Transport and Mbank have jointly started accepting AE Coin from passengers taking Tawasul taxi rides. Quite another milestone!
Real estate stays bold in the blockchain landscape with Dubai Land Department and Prypco Mint launching the first tokenized real estate deed in May 2025. Now, the telecom landscape is also spearheading crypto adoption, specifically with telecom giant Du’s recent undertaking.
Du’s crypto payment stirs the telecom industry
In February 2025, Du started enabling crypto payments for Du bills via Samsung Pay or Apple Pay, besides credit and debit card payments. Customers can pay their bills using Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether. In 2024, the company launched crypto and investment tools on its financial technology platform. Du’s entry into the fintech space resembles that of Abu Dhabi’s e& (formerly Etisalat).
As Du has implemented crypto payments, it could probably drive competition between other telecom companies in the UAE. Outside the UAE, telecom companies have dipped their toes in the digital asset industry with Telefónica enabling cryptocurrency payments using Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. STC Bahrain, GoldConnect, and A1 Telekom Austria are a few other telecom firms that have integrated crypto payments.
Du’s Blockchain Edge supercharges blockchain waves
Besides its crypto payment milestone, Du has introduced a blockchain service called Blockchain Edge. This is a unique feature of Du that showcases a blockchain-as-a-service platform built on Dubai Pulse infrastructure. With this feature, government entities and businesses can launch private or consortium blockchain networks with ease. Blockchain Edge offers a secure and scalable environment, reducing barriers to blockchain adoption. The telecom firm integrated the innovative blockchain feature as part of Dubai’s strategy to adopt the technology across various industries.
How will the future of blockchain be in Dubai?
Crypto DNA is injected into the UAE’s genes, making it one of the leading crypto-supporting countries in the world. Blockchain has a great future in Dubai and the whole UAE, according to insights from experts. Dubai’s mature and stable crypto regulatory framework, VARA, has shaken blockchain firms across the world. If a country holds progressive regulations, then investors and companies start rushing to the region with the hope of growth.
In short, this is what’s really happening in the emirate. Need proof? Over 650 crypto platforms have registered under DMCC’s Crypto Centre! Moreover, several government entities have partnered with global private firms such as Crypto.com, Ripple, Bybit, OKX, Binance, and more. As time passes, Web3 and blockchain find more potential to thrive, making regions like Dubai rapidly evolve in the digital world.
