UAE telecom provider du has made cryptocurrency payments available to its customers, placing it alongside Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and traditional debit and credit cards as accepted settlement methods — a significant first for the country's telecoms sector.
du Expands Payment Options with Blockchain
Customers can now settle their du bills through multiple channels: cryptocurrency via a blockchain-based payment system, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay for seamless mobile transactions, and standard debit and credit cards for traditional payments.
The carrier has not publicly disclosed which specific cryptocurrency or token it accepts through its blockchain payment system, and the company has maintained official silence about the details of the change. The move follows Dubai's active pursuit of digital financial transformation across industries, with telecoms now joining real estate and retail in embracing crypto settlement.
UAE's New Crypto Payment Rules
The UAE Central Bank's Payment Token Services Regulation, which came into effect in August 2024 and tightens further from June 2025, establishes a clear framework for which digital assets can be used for everyday payments. Under the rules, only UAE dirham-denominated stablecoins are permitted for payments nationwide.
Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether-backed stablecoins remain restricted to financial free zones and do not meet the requirements for daily retail payment use within the UAE. Merchants had until July 2025 to obtain the necessary licences and adjust their payment systems accordingly.
Impact on the Telecom and Utility Sector
Du's adoption of cryptocurrency payments creates an industry model that other telecom and utility providers across the UAE can follow. Customers are advised to verify which specific cryptocurrencies or compliant tokens are accepted following the regulatory changes that took effect in mid-2025.
The decision represents a meaningful step toward the UAE's digital-economy future, demonstrating both the country's developing embrace of blockchain technology and its commitment to operating within evolving financial legislation.
