Dubai, UAE — In a landmark move toward full digital transformation, Dubai’s Department of Finance (DoF) and the Dubai Land Department (DLD) have successfully completed a pilot test enabling government service payments in UAE dirhams using digital assets.
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The test was carried out via Dubai Pay, managed by the Digital Dubai Authority, and powered by Foris Dax Middle East — the first Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) in the UAE to secure in-principle approval from the Central Bank for a Stored Value Facilities (SVF) license.
The pilot transaction tested the “Issuance of a Property Map” service, executed in a secure environment to validate both technical and regulatory frameworks before broader implementation.
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A Milestone for Smart Government Payments
His Excellency Abdulrahman Al Saleh, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Finance, described the achievement as a “proactive step toward the future of digital transactions.”
“At Dubai Finance, we are working to explore innovative financial solutions that enhance the government payment ecosystem and accelerate the transition toward a fully digital economy, in alignment with the vision of our wise leadership."
Abdulrahman Al Saleh, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Finance
Echoing this vision, H.E. Hamad Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai Authority, emphasized that the pilot represents a major milestone in building Dubai’s “City as a Service” model — integrating modern financial technology directly into public systems.
“Enabling individuals and businesses to pay government fees using digital assets embodies Dubai’s innovative spirit,” he noted. “It reflects our ability to anticipate the future and embrace technologies that redefine the relationship between government and customer.”
H.E. Hamad Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai Authority
Driving the Dubai Cashless Strategy
The test aligns with Dubai’s Cashless Strategy, which aims to make 90% of all financial transactions in the emirate digital by 2026. The initiative supports the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) by improving efficiency, compliance, and transparency across government payments.
Amina Lootah, Director of Digital Payment Systems Regulation at DoF, confirmed the transaction’s successful settlement in dirhams through fully integrated systems ensuring complete regulatory compliance.
“This first-of-its-kind government transaction marks an important step toward achieving a 90% digital transaction rate by 2026."
Amina Lootah, Director of Digital Payment Systems Regulation at DoF
Omar Bushahab, Director General of DLD, added that the test “demonstrates the government’s commitment to employing advanced technologies responsibly before full-scale deployment.”
Collaboration Across the Ecosystem
Private sector partners also played a key role in the test’s success. Eric Anziani, President and COO of Crypto.com Group, commented:
“The Government of Dubai continues to lead globally in the move toward a cashless society. We are proud to support the Department of Finance in delivering the first government-wide digital payment framework.”
Eric Anziani, President & COO of Crypto.com Group
Mohammed Al Hakim, President and General Manager of Foris Dax Middle East, highlighted that this milestone marks the foundation for “a secure and sustainable digital payment ecosystem serving both government and society.”
Ahmed Al Qassim, Group Head of Corporate and Institutional Banking at Emirates NBD, reaffirmed the bank’s support:
“Our participation underscores our commitment to helping Dubai become a leading global hub for innovation and digital finance.”
Ahmed Al Qassim, Group Head of Corporate & Institutional Banking at Emirates NBD
With this successful pilot, Dubai moves closer to establishing itself as the world’s most advanced cashless economy — where digital asset settlements in local currency could soon become part of everyday government interactions.
