Dubai Department of Finance Approves Bitcoin Payments for Government Fees
Dubai’s Dubai Department of Finance (DOF) has approved the use of global digital wallets for government service fee payments across all government-related entities, according to a statement published on 7 November 2025.
Under the new framework, individuals, corporate entities and tourists in Dubai may use platforms such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, WeChat Pay, India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and other Tap to Pay services to settle fees via the city’s payment portals such as DubaiNow and DubaiPay.
The DOF indicated that full rollout is expected before end of 2025.
The move by Dubai to enable Bitcoin payments for receiving government fees builds on earlier measures for digital-asset integration.
In May 2025 the DOF announced a memorandum of understanding with Crypto.com to enable payment of government service fees using cryptocurrencies that would instantly convert cryptocurrencies to UAE dirhams.
In October 2025 a pilot transaction was carried out in which a government fee was paid with crypto and settled in UAE dirhams.
The implementation is part of Dubai’s broader strategy under the D33 agenda to reduce cash-based payments and enhance digital payment infrastructure to finally make Dubai a cashless city by 2026.
