DIFC hosts over 70 brokers, including Interactive Brokers’ newly established regional office.
It added over 1,000 companies in the first half this year; FinTech firms rose 28%.
DIFC
Dubai International Financial Centre reported its strongest
first-half performance to date. DIFC functions as a regulated financial hub
where the Dubai Financial Services Authority oversees and licenses Contract for
Difference brokers.
Brokers operating under DIFC must comply with local
regulations and investor protection standards, creating a regulated environment
for CFD trading services across the Middle East.
Company Registrations and Workforce Growth
In the first six months of 2025, DIFC registered 1,081 new
active companies, bringing the total number of active registered companies to
7,700. The Centre currently employs 47,901 professionals.
Financial Services Authorisations and Sector Expansion
Financial services authorisations increased by 28 percent
year-on-year, with 78 issued in the first half of 2025 compared to 61 in the
same period of 2024.
The banking and capital markets cluster expanded to 289
companies, up from 247 a year ago. The wealth and asset management sector grew
19 percent year-on-year to 440 firms, including 85 hedge funds, of which 69 are
valued at over one billion dollars. More than 10,000 funds are managed or
marketed from DIFC.
The number of FinTech and Innovation companies rose sharply
to 1,388 in H1 2025, a 28 percent increase from 1,081 in the same period last
year. Active non-financial entities also grew to 6,335 from 4,935 a year
earlier.
Brokerage Firms and Market Presence
According to a LinkedIn post by DIFC several months ago, the
Centre is home to more than 70 brokerage firms, including five of the top 10
interdealer brokers globally by volume. Additionally, Interactive Brokers has
announced the establishment of its regional presence in DIFC. The firm provides
brokerage services to clients within the Centre.
Global Financial Centre Ranking
According to the Global Financial Centres Index, Dubai is
one of eight cities worldwide with broad and deep capabilities across all parts
of the finance industry. It is listed alongside London, New York, and Paris.
Dubai International Financial Centre reported its strongest
first-half performance to date. DIFC functions as a regulated financial hub
where the Dubai Financial Services Authority oversees and licenses Contract for
Difference brokers.
Brokers operating under DIFC must comply with local
regulations and investor protection standards, creating a regulated environment
for CFD trading services across the Middle East.
Company Registrations and Workforce Growth
In the first six months of 2025, DIFC registered 1,081 new
active companies, bringing the total number of active registered companies to
7,700. The Centre currently employs 47,901 professionals.
Financial Services Authorisations and Sector Expansion
Financial services authorisations increased by 28 percent
year-on-year, with 78 issued in the first half of 2025 compared to 61 in the
same period of 2024.
The banking and capital markets cluster expanded to 289
companies, up from 247 a year ago. The wealth and asset management sector grew
19 percent year-on-year to 440 firms, including 85 hedge funds, of which 69 are
valued at over one billion dollars. More than 10,000 funds are managed or
marketed from DIFC.
The number of FinTech and Innovation companies rose sharply
to 1,388 in H1 2025, a 28 percent increase from 1,081 in the same period last
year. Active non-financial entities also grew to 6,335 from 4,935 a year
earlier.
Brokerage Firms and Market Presence
According to a LinkedIn post by DIFC several months ago, the
Centre is home to more than 70 brokerage firms, including five of the top 10
interdealer brokers globally by volume. Additionally, Interactive Brokers has
announced the establishment of its regional presence in DIFC. The firm provides
brokerage services to clients within the Centre.
Global Financial Centre Ranking
According to the Global Financial Centres Index, Dubai is
one of eight cities worldwide with broad and deep capabilities across all parts
of the finance industry. It is listed alongside London, New York, and Paris.
Prop Firms and Brokers Form a Perfect Synergy: One Offers Access, the Other Capital
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Charlotte Bullock | Chief Product Officer, Bank of London | FMLS:25
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this interview, we sat down with Charlotte Bullock, Head of Product at The Bank of London, previously at SAP and now shaping product at one of the sector’s most ambitious new banking players.
Charlotte reflects on the Summit so far and talks about the culture inside fintech banks today. We look at the pressures that come with scaling, and how firms can hold onto the nimble approach that made them stand out early on.
We also cover the state of payments ahead of her appearance on the payments roundtable: the blockages financial firms face, the areas that still need fixing, and what a realistic solution looks like in 2026.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
In this conversation, we sit down with Drew Niv, CSO at ATFX Connect and one of the most influential figures in modern FX.
We speak about market structure, the institutional view on liquidity, and the sharp rise of prop trading, a sector Drew has been commenting on in recent months. Drew explains why he once dismissed prop trading, why his view changed, and what he now thinks the model means for brokers, clients and risk managers.
We explore subscription-fee dependency, the high reneging rate, and the long-term challenge: how brokers can build a more stable and honest version of the model. Drew also talks about the traffic advantage standalone prop firms have built and why brokers may still win in the long run if they take the right approach.
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
Executive Interview | Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller| CEO & Founder Muinmos | FMLS:25
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this interview, Remonda Z. Kirketerp Møller, founder of Muinmos, breaks down the state of AI in regtech and what responsible adoption really looks like for brokers. We talk about rising fragmentation, the pressures around compliance accuracy, and why most firms are still in the early stages of AI maturity.
Ramanda also shares insights on regulator sandboxes, shifting expectations around accountability, and the current reality of MiCA licensing and passporting in Europe.
A concise look at where compliance, onboarding, and AI-driven processes are heading next.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
In this conversation, we speak with Aydin Bonabi, CEO and co-founder of Surveill, a firm focused on fraud detection and AI-driven compliance tools for financial institutions.
We start with Aydin’s view of the Summit and the challenges brokers face as fraud tactics grow more complex. He explains how firms can stay ahead through real-time signals, data patterns, and early-stage detection.
We also talk about AI training and why compliance teams often struggle to keep models accurate, fair, and aligned with regulatory expectations. Aydin breaks down what “good” AI training looks like inside a financial environment, including the importance of clean data, domain expertise, and human oversight.
He closes with a clear message: fraud is scaling, and so must the tools that stop it.
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Exness expands its presence in Africa: Inside our interview with Paul Margarites in Cape Town
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
Finance Magnates met with Paul Margarites, Exness regional commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa, during a visit to the firm’s office opening in Cape Town. In this talk, led by Andrea Badiola Mateos, Co-CEO at Finance Magnates, Paul shares views on the South African trading space, local user behavior, mobile trends, regulation, team growth, and how Exness plans to grow in more markets across the region. @Exness
Read the article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-expands-its-presence-in-africa-inside-our-interview-with-paul-margarites/
#exness #financemagnates #exnesstrading #CFDtrading #tradeonline #africanews #capetown
