You can now pay for Air Arabia flights with crypto in the UAE
Crypto just took off…
Paying for your next flight just got a little more futuristic. If you're the kind of traveller who's into crypto and keen on finding smart ways to spend it, this one's for you. Crypto check-in begins now
Air Arabia is officially the first airline in the region to accept payments via stablecoin – specifically, AE Coin. The budget-friendly Sharjah-based airline has teamed up with Mbank, the UAE's first fully digital bank, to roll this out. AE Coin 101
Think of AE Coin as digital dirhams. It's a stablecoin, which means it's pegged 1:1 to the UAE dirham – so it doesn't fluctuate like Bitcoin or Ethereum. That makes it secure, predictable, and practical for everyday payments. It's also designed to keep transaction fees low. How it works
To book your flight, all you need to do is pay through the AEC Wallet App while checking out on the Air Arabia website. Why it matters
Stablecoins are booming, and AE Coin is the UAE's first of its kind. This move doesn't just add convenience – it fits neatly into the country's wider vision of becoming a leader in digital finance. Adel Al Ali, Group CEO of Air Arabia, calls it part of their mission to bring tech-driven value and flexibility to travellers. Not just for crypto fans
You don't need to be deep into Web3 to use AE Coin. If you've got the AEC Wallet App, you're ready to go. And with more UAE companies jumping into stablecoins, this might just be the first of many mainstream crypto rollouts. So next time you're planning a getaway, your wallet doesn't need to be leather – it just needs to be digital. More than just a flight
This isn't just about booking flights with a new payment method. It's a step towards a smarter, more inclusive financial ecosystem, as Mbank's CEO Mohammed Wassim Khayata explains. The collaboration brings together budget travel and forward-thinking finance – So if you've been holding AE Coin and waiting for a good excuse to use it, here's your sign.
Image: airarabia.com
> Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arabian Post
36 minutes ago
- Arabian Post
Sberbank Unveils Bitcoin-Linked Bonds Amid Regulatory Shift
Sberbank, Russia's largest lender, has introduced structured bonds tied to Bitcoin's performance, offering investors exposure to cryptocurrency price movements without direct ownership. These bonds, denominated in rubles and compliant with Russian law, are currently available to qualified investors through over-the-counter markets, with plans for future listings on the Moscow Exchange. The initiative follows the Bank of Russia's recent decision to permit financial institutions to offer crypto-linked financial instruments to accredited investors. Under the new guidelines, banks can provide derivatives, securities, and digital financial assets whose returns are linked to cryptocurrency prices, provided there is no actual delivery of the underlying crypto assets. This move aims to offer regulated exposure to digital assets while mitigating associated risks. Sberbank's Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board, Anatoly Popov, stated that the bank's new product provides a convenient and secure way for investors to gain exposure to cryptocurrency assets without direct ownership, ensuring full compliance with regulatory requirements on Russian infrastructure. The structured bonds are designed to cater to investors seeking returns linked to cryptocurrency dynamics within a regulated framework. ADVERTISEMENT In addition to Sberbank's offerings, the Moscow Exchange has announced plans to launch a cash-settled Bitcoin futures contract on its derivatives market in June. The SPB Exchange has also outlined intentions to introduce cryptocurrency-linked futures trading, signaling a broader acceptance of crypto-related financial products within Russia's regulated financial markets. The Bank of Russia's decision to allow crypto-linked financial instruments comes amid increasing interest in digital assets among Russian investors. The central bank reported a 51% increase in crypto asset inflows by Russian residents in the first quarter of 2025, totaling 7.3 trillion rubles . To manage potential risks, the central bank has mandated that banks and credit institutions fully back these products with capital, apply conservative risk assessments, and set individual exposure limits. Sberbank's move to offer structured bonds tied to cryptocurrency price movements represents a significant step in bridging traditional finance with digital assets in Russia. By providing regulated investment products linked to cryptocurrencies, the bank aims to meet growing investor demand while adhering to the country's cautious regulatory stance on digital assets.
Arabian Post
2 hours ago
- Arabian Post
SEC's Stance on Staking Signals Regulatory Shift
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has clarified that certain staking activities on proof-of-stake blockchains do not constitute securities transactions under federal law. This development marks a significant shift in the regulatory landscape for the cryptocurrency industry. The SEC's Division of Corporation Finance issued a statement indicating that self-staking, self-custodial staking with third parties, and custodial staking services are not subject to securities regulations, provided that the staking activities are conducted in accordance with the underlying blockchain protocols. The guidance emphasizes that staking rewards are considered compensation for services rendered in maintaining the network, rather than profits derived from the efforts of others. This clarification comes after the SEC's previous enforcement actions against staking-as-a-service providers, which had created uncertainty within the industry. The new guidance provides a clearer framework for participants engaging in staking activities, potentially encouraging broader adoption and innovation in the sector. ADVERTISEMENT However, the SEC's statement does not extend to all forms of staking. Activities such as liquid staking and restaking, where providers have control over staking decisions, may still fall under securities laws. The Commission advises that each staking program should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine its regulatory status. The SEC's updated position has been met with mixed reactions. While many in the crypto industry view it as a positive step towards regulatory clarity, some SEC commissioners have expressed concerns. Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw criticized the guidance, arguing that it conflicts with existing legal precedents and may undermine investor protections. The clarification also has implications for the development of cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds . Asset managers seeking to include staking rewards in Ethereum-based ETFs may find the path forward less obstructed, potentially leading to new investment products that offer staking benefits to investors. Despite the regulatory clarity, market reactions have been subdued. Ethereum's price experienced a slight decline, reflecting cautious investor sentiment. Nonetheless, the SEC's stance is expected to have long-term positive effects on the growth and maturation of the cryptocurrency industry. Stock market information for Ethereum * Ethereum is a crypto in the CRYPTO market. * The price is 2611.78 USD currently with a change of -118.73 USD from the previous close. * The intraday high is 2730.79 USD and the intraday low is 2591.12 USD.
Khaleej Times
3 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
Leo Cisotta on bridging Italian innovation and UAE opportunity
As Italiacamp EMEA celebrates the second anniversary of the Dubai Hub for Made in Italy in 2025, General Manager Leo Cisotta reflects on what has been more than just a growth journey — it has been the shaping of a bridge between two innovation-driven economies. Founded in 2023 within the Dubai World Trade Centre, the Hub was established with a clear objective: to accelerate the internationalisation of Italian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UAE and wider region. Cisotta emphasised that the model is designed not simply to facilitate internationalisation but to ensure long-term, sustainable integration into one of the world's most competitive and fast-evolving markets. One of the most visible outcomes of this international shift is the Made in Italy Week in the UAE. Held in April 2025 in partnership with the Embassy of Italy in Abu Dhabi, the Consulate General of Italy in Dubai, and the Italian Cultural Institute, the multi-day initiative spanned Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. It was more than a showcase of Italian excellence — it was a reflection of a nation in motion. Each day's programming celebrated Made in Italy not only in manufacturing, fashion, and food, but also as a manifestation of research, art, creativity, entrepreneurship, and craftsmanship. Cisotta stresses that partnerships have played a defining role in the Hub's evolution. He cites new collaborations with Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development (Dubai SME) and the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP) as examples of how Italiacamp is embedding itself in the UAE's innovation ecosystem. These alliances aim to foster entrepreneurship, facilitate SME growth. 'These are not just institutional alliances but strategic collaborations aligned with the national priorities of the UAE,' he explains. He also points to the importance of focusing on key sectors where Italian excellence is globally recognised — such as technological advancements, artificial intelligence, industrial innovation, fashion, luxury, and sustainability. By enabling Italian companies to bring their identity and know-how into dialogue with the UAE's development goals, the Hub is creating a new framework for cooperation — one where tradition and innovation reinforce each other. Looking ahead, Cisotta remains focused on creating impact beyond the commercial. 'What we're building in the UAE is a strategic platform that leverages Italian excellence and Emirati vision to create long-term, regional value.' For Italiacamp, the UAE represents more than a market. It's a strategic crossroads where economic diplomacy, cultural identity, and innovation intersect. And through the Dubai Hub for Made in Italy, that intersection is becoming a permanent path forward. As the Hub looks ahead to new initiatives and expansion across the Gulf, Cisotta remains focused on anchoring the Made in Italy as a forward-looking driver of regional value. 'Italy's identity lies in innovation, and innovation itself is inherently Italian,' he notes. 'It's a mix of history, creativity, and the new things our country is capable of imagining, creating, and producing every day.' This philosophy—of blending culture, business, and education into a living, adaptive model—is at the heart of Italiacamp's presence in the UAE. According to Cisotta: 'The future of Made in Italy lies in our ability to merge deep-rooted heritage with forward-thinking innovation. Italy's strength is not only in its craftsmanship and cultural legacy, but in its capacity to lead in emerging fields — from digital transformation to advanced manufacturing. By aligning this evolving identity with the UAE's vision, we are shaping a model of collaboration that is resilient and future-ready.'
