A school in Dubai that is scheduled to open later this year will allow parents to pay tuition fees using cryptocurrencies.
The UK curriculum Citizens School, designed and developed by Al Zarooni Emirates Investments and set to open in September, will accept Bitcoin and Ether.
It claims to be the first school in the Middle East to allow the use of cryptocurrencies.
Payments using cryptocurrencies will be accepted through a tie-up with a digital currency platform that processes payments and automatically converts them to UAE dirhams, the school said.
Citizens School has not disclosed which platform it will be using. Bitcoin was trading at $47,650 at 10.15am on Tuesday while Ether was trading at $3,412.
“Introducing the ability to pay tuition fees through cryptocurrencies goes beyond just providing another payment option,” said Hisham Hodroge, chief executive of Citizens School.
“It is aimed at creating an interest in growing trends and breakthrough technologies that will have a profound effect on the lives of young generations.
"It is also a means to further drive interest in the applications of blockchain — a technology that Citizens School intends to deploy, in time, across several aspects of its academic and administrative operations.”
The 43,000-square-metre school campus has capacity for 2,600 children between the ages of three and 18. Fees range from Dh36,000 ($9,802) for FS1 up to Dh52,000 for Year 6. A monthly payment plan for 10 months is available.
The move by the school comes as Dubai accelerates towards adopting and regulating digital currencies. This month, the emirate adopted a law that regulates virtual assets including cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and non-fungible tokens.
The Dubai Virtual Asset Regulation Law aims to create a framework to protect investors and provide international standards that will promote responsible business growth in the emirate.
Dubai also established the Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority as an independent body to regulate the sector throughout the emirate, including special development zones and free zones excluding the Dubai International Financial Centre.
The world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, secured a virtual asset licence to operate in Dubai, as has FTX Europe.
The digital economy contributes about 4.3 per cent to the UAE's gross domestic product, which is equivalent to Dh100 billion, government figures showed.
“A while ago, cryptocurrency was only a floating term among well-versed investors. However, today cryptocurrency is becoming much more mainstream, reshaping the traditional financial system,” said Adil Alzarooni, founder of Citizens School.
“By introducing this new payment facility, we look forward to enhancing the role of young generations in achieving the UAE’s digital economy. As more people embrace the era of digitalisation, today’s children will become the entrepreneurs and investors of tomorrow.”
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
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Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
