Dubai Court Upholds Crypto as Legal Salary Payment

Last Updated on August 16, 2024

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Key Takeaways:

  • The Dubai Court of First Instance has ruled that salary payments in cryptocurrency are enforceable under employment contracts.
  • The 2024 ruling marks a shift from a 2023 case, where similar claims were dismissed due to unclear crypto-to-fiat conversion methods.
  • This decision aligns with the UAE’s broader goal of advancing its digital economy and sets a precedent for increased adoption of cryptocurrencies.

The Dubai Court of First Instance has validated salary payments made in cryptocurrency, marking a significant shift in the UAE’s legal stance.

In a 2024 ruling, the court recognized that salaries paid in digital tokens, such as EcoWatt, are enforceable under employment contracts.

This contrasts with a 2023 case where the court dismissed a similar claim due to the lack of a clear method for converting crypto to fiat currency.

The recent decision reflects a progressive approach towards the integration of digital currencies in the UAE’s economy.

Legal expert Irina Heaver highlighted that this ruling sets a precedent for deeper adoption of cryptocurrencies in financial transactions, emphasizing that wages, whether in fiat or crypto, must be honored as per contractual agreements.

This move aligns with the UAE’s broader goal of leading in the digital economy.

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