Emirates General Petroleum Corporation (Emarat), the UAE’s federal government-owned fuel retailer, has partnered with Crypto.com to introduce crypto payments at fuel stations, marking a first in the Middle East and North Africa.

The initial phase enables crypto payments at 10 Emarat stations across Dubai, with plans to expand the service throughout Emarat’s network, according to the May 8 announcement.

Customers can now pay for fuel using Bitcoin and other digital assets directly at the pump, bypassing traditional fiat transactions. The rollout positions the UAE at the forefront of retail crypto adoption.

As part of the initiative, Emarat and Crypto.com also unveiled plans for a flagship co-branded service station, “Emarat x Crypto.com Service Station,” to be launched in Dubai.

The location will also serve as an anchor for Project Landmark, a global initiative that introduces naming rights to fuel stations, blending brand visibility with digital-first customer experiences. The new site will serve as a showcase for innovation in mobility, payments, and retail design.

Established in 1981, Emarat operates over 100 service stations in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, serving approximately 100 million retail and commercial customers annually.

UAE’s digital asset hub ambition

The UAE continues to advance as a global leader in digital asset regulation and infrastructure, pursuing its ambition to become the most crypto-friendly jurisdiction in the world.

With frameworks like the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority in Dubai and clear licensing structures in Abu Dhabi, the country has positioned itself as one of the world’s most progressive jurisdictions for digital finance.

The positioning has attracted some of the biggest players in the industry, including major CEXs like Binance, OKX, and Bybit, to secure regulatory licenses for their operations in the region.

By encouraging private-public partnerships and introducing pilot projects like this one, the UAE aims to solidify its role as a hub for Web3 innovation and fintech.

By enabling crypto payments at the pump, the UAE adds another use case to its expanding digital asset ecosystem, further establishing that digital assets are no longer confined to speculation but increasingly embedded in daily life.

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