The Dubai Department of Finance (DoF) has successfully completed an initial technical pilot enabling instant payment of government service fees in UAE dirhams (AED) using digital assets. The pilot was conducted in collaboration with the Dubai Land Department (DLD) via the Dubai Pay platform, under the supervision of the Digital Dubai Authority.
According to an official media statement, the transaction — processed through the licensed Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) Dax Middle East — involved the issuance of a property map. Authorities emphasized that the pilot was conducted in a secure environment as a precursor to a broader rollout.
Abdulrahman Al Saleh, Director General of the DoF, praised the pilot as “a proactive step toward the future of digital transactions,” highlighting Dubai’s commitment to adopting advanced financial technologies built on strong security and compliance standards. The department reaffirmed its pledge to build a fully digital economy.
Echoing this sentiment, Hamad Al Mansoori, Director General of the Digital Dubai Authority, described the initiative as a milestone in Dubai’s digital transformation journey, stating:
“This is a major step toward realizing the ‘City as a Service’ concept, where financial technologies integrate seamlessly with government systems.”
The pilot also supports Dubai’s Cashless Strategy, which aims to digitize 90% of all financial transactions by 2026.
Amina Lootah, Director of DoF’s Digital Payment Systems Regulation division, confirmed that the transaction was conducted in full compliance with regulatory standards and was settled in dirhams through integrated systems.
Industry leaders also praised the initiative. Eric Anziani, President and COO of Crypto.com Group, called Dubai a “global visionary” in its move toward a cashless society, while Mohammed Al Hakim of Foris Dax Middle East described the milestone as a foundation for a secure digital payment ecosystem.
This successful pilot underscores Dubai’s leadership in financial innovation and its readiness to integrate digital payments into government services — signaling a bold step toward the future of digital finance.
