How to Easily Transfer AED to EUR or USD: The Crypto Bridge Solution
Converting United Arab Emirates Dirhams (AED) to European or American currencies doesn't have to involve expensive bank transfers and unfavorable exchange rates. By leveraging cryptocurrency networks and modern neobanks, you can transfer money internationally at a fraction of traditional costs. Here's a step-by-step guide to converting AED to EUR or USD efficiently.
The Smart Route: AED → Crypto → EUR/USD
This method combines the cryptocurrency capabilities of Rain with the accessibility of neobanks like Revolut or Deblock, creating one of the cheapest ways to send and convert money across borders.
Step 1: Send Your AED to Rain Wallet
Rain backed by Coinbase Ventures is a licensed cryptocurrency platform operating in the Middle East that allows you to convert your AED into stablecoins. Start by opening a Rain account and depositing your AED through their platform.
Rain currently supports trading in the following local currencies:
- Turkish Lira (TRY)
- Bahraini Dinar (BHD)
- United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED)
- Omani Rial (OMR)
- Saudi Riyal (SAR)
- Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD)
- Qatari Riyal (QAR)
The key advantage? Rain supports USDC (USD Coin) and USDT (Tether) on the Ethereum ERC20 network, which are dollar-pegged stablecoins that maintain a 1:1 value with the US dollar.
This makes Rain an ideal solution not just for UAE residents, but for anyone across the Middle East and Turkey looking to convert their local currency to EUR or USD efficiently.
The key advantage? Rain supports USDC (USD Coin) and USDT (Tether) on the Ethereum ERC20 network, which are dollar-pegged stablecoins that maintain a 1:1 value with the US dollar.
Step 2: Convert AED to USDC on the ERC20 Network
Once your AED is in your Rain wallet, convert it to USDC. According to Rain's cryptocurrency network guide, the platform supports the Ethereum (ERC20) network, which is widely compatible with major neobanks and cryptocurrency services.
USDC is an excellent choice for transfers because it's:
- Pegged to the US dollar for price stability
- Widely accepted across cryptocurrency platforms
- Supported on the Ethereum network by most neobanks
Step 3: Transfer USDC to Revolut or Deblock
Here's where the magic happens. Both Revolut and Deblock support cryptocurrency deposits on the Ethereum (ERC20) network, allowing you to receive your USDC directly.
Important: Understanding the Travel Rule
When transferring cryptocurrency from Rain to external wallets like Revolut or Deblock, you'll need to comply with the Travel Rule. As Rain explains in their Travel Rule guide, this is a regulatory requirement designed to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing.
When sending crypto from Rain, you'll need to provide:
- The recipient's full name
- The recipient's wallet address
- Information about the recipient (whether it's your own wallet or belongs to someone else)
This compliance measure is standard across regulated cryptocurrency platforms and helps ensure the legitimacy of transactions. The process is straightforward and only takes a few moments to complete within the Rain app.
Revolut offers multi-currency accounts and allows you to convert your USDC to EUR, USD, or dozens of other currencies at competitive rates. Once converted, you can spend with your Revolut card, transfer to your bank account, or hold in multiple currencies.
Deblock similarly supports ERC20 network deposits and provides seamless crypto-to-fiat conversion. Their platform is designed for users who want to bridge traditional banking with cryptocurrency flexibility.
Step 4: Convert to EUR or USD
Once your USDC arrives in your Revolut or Deblock account, simply convert it to EUR or USD through the app. Both platforms offer competitive exchange rates, especially compared to traditional bank transfers from the UAE to Europe or the United States.
Why This Method Is One of the Cheapest Options
Traditional international wire transfers from AED to EUR or USD typically involve:
- High bank transfer fees (often $20-50 per transaction)
- Unfavorable exchange rate markups (2-4% above mid-market rates)
- Processing delays of 3-5 business days
By contrast, the crypto bridge method offers:
- Minimal blockchain network fees (usually a few dollars)
- Near-instant transfers (minutes to hours)
- Exchange rates close to mid-market rates
- Complete transparency of all fees involved
Pour commencer
Ready to start saving on international transfers? Here's what you need to do:
- Open a Rain account to convert your AED to USDC
- Set up Revolut or Deblock to receive and convert your cryptocurrency
Both platforms offer straightforward registration processes and are designed with user-friendly interfaces that make cryptocurrency transfers accessible even for beginners.
For a deeper understanding of how cryptocurrency is revolutionizing money transfers and currency exchange, check out this comprehensive guide: Money Transfer & Currency Exchange Revolution.
Important Considerations
While this method is cost-effective, keep a few things in mind:
- Ethereum network fees can vary based on network congestion
- Always double-check wallet addresses before sending cryptocurrency
- Familiarize yourself with each platform's verification requirements
- Consider the tax implications of cryptocurrency transactions in your jurisdiction
By combining Rain's regional expertise in the Middle East with the global reach of neobanks like Revolut and Deblock, you can significantly reduce the cost and time required to move money internationally. This approach represents the future of cross-border payments—faster, cheaper, and more transparent than traditional banking methods.