Dubai court greenlights cryptocurrency as valid salary and benefits
In a landmark move, the Dubai Court of First Instance has confirmed that employment contracts can legally include cryptocurrency-based benefits, specifically EcoWatt tokens, alongside traditional AED salaries. The court enforced payment of six months’ unpaid EcoWatt tokens after the employer refused to honor the agreed digital compensation—signaling a major evolution in UAE labour jurisprudence.
Catalyst for broader crypto integration in the UAE economy
While the UAE Wage Protection System (WPS) still requires salaries in dirhams, experts suggest this precedent could pave the way for wider crypto adoption in employee compensation and other sectors. Industry voices foresee strong interest in dirham-pegged stablecoins, digital bonuses, and cross-border payroll efficiencies as rules evolve—signaling a future where crypto plays a mainstream role in everyday transactions
