In a bold move aligning with the UAE’s vision for financial and maritime innovation, Gulf Craft has become the first yacht builder in the MENA region to accept regulated cryptocurrency payments for new builds, servicing, and refit operations.
The initiative has been launched in collaboration with ARP Pay, a Bahrain-licensed fintech platform. The solution enables clients to settle transactions using stablecoins like USDT and USDC, which are then converted into AED or USD in real time. Following a successful pilot—where a portion of a yacht transaction was settled in crypto—the yard has now rolled out the feature across its full portfolio.
“Adding a crypto option future-proofs our customer experience,” said Erwin Bamps, CEO of Gulf Craft Group. “We’re adopting technologies that shape tomorrow’s commerce and appeal to the new generation of global yacht buyers.”
Clients purchasing vessels across the builder’s diverse ranges—including Majesty Yachts, Nomad, Oryx, and SilverCAT—can now complete transactions in a faster, more transparent, and fully compliant manner. The offering is particularly tailored to international buyers and digital asset holders seeking secure, cross-border flexibility without high conversion fees or delays.
Chairman Mohammed Hussein Alshaali emphasized the strategic alignment with national ambitions:
“The UAE was built on maritime trade and early adoption of bold ideas. Embracing regulated digital payments is a natural evolution that reinforces both our shipbuilding leadership and our country’s fintech-forward reputation.”
Gulf Craft’s announcement comes at a time of increasing crypto acceptance in the luxury sector, but it marks a major first for regional yacht builders. With the support of UAE’s digital infrastructure, VARA regulations, and an expanding network of licensed exchanges, the company is charting a new course in how superyachts are bought and sold.
