News
Emirates Airline To Launch Its Own NFT Collection
As the first step on its journey to the virtual realm, the main purpose of the NFT collection is to increase the digital appeal of Emirates Airline.
Emirates Airline has announced its intention to take its customers into the virtual realm by offering its own NFT collection.
NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, have exploded in popularity since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the most successful collections selling for millions of dollars.
By providing immutable proof of ownership, NFTs have transformed the digital art scene, and they’re expected to form a crucial part of the metaverse, a network of 3D virtual worlds that some of the world’s largest tech companies are trying to create.
“Emirates has always embraced advanced technologies to improve our business processes, enhance our customer offering, and enrich our employees’ skills and experiences,” said Emirates CEO HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
As the first step on its journey to the virtual realm, the main purpose of the NFT collection is to increase the digital appeal of Emirates Airline. The collection includes virtual replicas of collectibles, so its utility is limited. It can, however, generate profit for those who purchase it if it becomes popular.
“We are excited about the opportunities in the digital space of the future and are committing a significant investment in financial and resourcing terms, to develop products and services using advanced technologies that will deliver on revenue, brand experience, and business efficiencies,” added Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
Also Read: A Beginner’s Guide To Getting Started With NFTs
In addition to the NFT collection, Emirates Airline is also repurposing its Emirates Pavillion at the Dubai Expo 2020 site to create a center for innovation, where it wants to work on various future-focused projects related to NFTs, the metaverse, and Web3.
Other airlines have used NFTs for similar purposes as well. For example, Air Europa has recently released the first NFT flight ticket series in collaboration with the blockchain firm TravelX, fusing travel with technology and art.
If these and other applications of NFT technology gain traction, we can expect other companies in the travel industry and beyond to experiment with the technology as well.
News
Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
The payment service provider’s expansion is a first-of-its-kind investment and could reshape digital transactions across the region.
Checkout.com is laying the groundwork to become the first global payments platform to introduce card issuing in the United Arab Emirates — a move that could reshape how businesses in the region manage financial transactions.
The company plans to roll out its domestic card issuance offering in the UAE by 2026, subject to regulatory approval. The launch would give businesses the tools to issue both physical and virtual branded cards. This, in turn, opens up new ways to reward customers, streamline expense processes, and handle B2B payouts efficiently.
Checkout.com’s CEO and Founder, Guillaume Pousaz, revealed the plans during Thrive Abu Dhabi, the firm’s debut conference in the Emirates. Joined on stage by Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA, Pousaz presented to an audience of over 150 partners and merchants at Saadiyat Island. Also in attendance was H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
Abbondandolo highlighted the strategic importance of the announcement: “As a global business, we focus on bringing products to markets that our customers want and need. Today’s announcement is proof of our commitment to the MENA region and its rising influence in the digital economy. The appetite for innovation here is real, and we’re proud to be building the infrastructure that powers it”.
One early adopter of Checkout.com’s UAE acquiring services is Headout, a travel experiences marketplace, which recently named the payment provider as its main partner in Europe. The company has already begun card issuing there and is keen to expand that offering into MENA once approval is granted.
The expansion of services in the UAE and beyond builds on Checkout.com’s track record in the region. It was the first global payments firm to secure a Retail Payment Services license from the UAE’s Central Bank and was instrumental in rolling out Mada and Apple Pay in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Also Read: Protecting Your WhatsApp Account From Hackers: Kaspersky Expert Tips
The firm has also been rolling out new products: One of the latest is Flow Remember Me, currently in beta testing. It allows shoppers to store their card information once and access it across Checkout.com’s entire network, potentially cutting checkout times by up to 70%.
Earlier this year, Checkout.com also introduced Visa Direct’s Push-to-Card solution in the UAE, enabling both domestic and international payouts. Its collaboration with Mastercard has grown as well, making it easier for businesses to send funds directly to third-party cards securely and quickly.
With regional tech ambitions on the rise — spurred by initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s 2031 Agenda — Checkout.com sees its role as one of a key enabler. “Our mission is to help ambitious businesses navigate the complexity of payments, so they can move faster, go further, and make the most of every opportunity,” said Abbondandolo. “In MENA, performance is personal. It’s local. It’s built on trust. And when payments perform, businesses thrive”.
Free VPNs: Should You Be Using Them?
Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
Hyper-Personalization: How Far Is Too Far?
Rabbit Expands Hyperlocal Delivery Service In Saudi Arabia
