PANews reported on August 17 that according to Bitcoin.com, the Dubai Court of First Instance made a landmark ruling that recognized that wages can be paid in cryptocurrency in employment contracts, marking a major shift in the legal attitude of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) towards digital currencies. The 2024 ruling (Case No. 1739 of 2024) is in stark contrast to the 2023 ruling, when a similar claim was dismissed due to the lack of a clear valuation of the cryptocurrency involved. The case arose from an employee suing for unpaid wages, including 5,250 ecowatt tokens, which had not been paid for six months. The 2024 ruling confirmed that cryptocurrency is a legal form of remuneration and emphasized the importance of complying with clear contractual agreements. The court relied on Article 912 of the UAE Civil Transactions Law and Federal Decree No. (33) of 2021, emphasizing progressive interpretations consistent with the evolving financial landscape. This decision sets a precedent for the wider acceptance of cryptocurrencies in employment contracts in the UAE.