Dubai officially approves Bitcoin & crypto payments for salaries
Representations of virtual cryptocurrencies are seen in this illustration taken November 28, 2021. (Reuters Photo)
United Arab Emirates’ Dubai Court of First Instance issued a landmark ruling confirming the legality of crypto payments, including Bitcoin, for salaries on August 15.
Earlier dispute on crypto salary
The case, numbered 1739 of 2024 (Labour), involved an employee who claimed unpaid wages and wrongful termination. The employment contract stipulated payment in both fiat currency and 5,250 EcoWatt tokens.
The court ruled in favor of the employee, ordering the employer to pay the owed salary in EcoWatt tokens, due to the employer’s failure to provide evidence of payment. The employer had contended that crypto payments were not legally enforceable, but the court upheld the contract’s terms as clear and valid.
This decision contrasts with a similar 2023 case where a claim involving EcoWatt tokens was dismissed due to the employee’s inability to provide a clear valuation of the crypto.
The 2024 ruling highlights the court’s evolving stance on digital currencies, setting a precedent for their broader adoption in sectors like employment.
