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.
Tareq is a financial writer with 15 years of experience covering global markets. His work spans technical analysis, forex broker reviews, and market sentiment, with a focus on topics relevant to retail traders. He joined Finance Magnates in 2023.
At Finance Magnates, he serves as News Editor, covering retail forex and CFD brokers, cryptocurrency exchanges, fintech firms, and regulatory developments shaping the trading industry. He holds an Honours degree in Information Technology from Anfell College, London.
Education:
Honours degree Information Technology, Anfell College, London
IG Group Expects About £300 Million Revenue in Q1 2026
Finance Magnates Awards 2026 – Nominations Now Open
Finance Magnates Awards 2026 – Nominations Now Open
The Finance Magnates Awards 2026 nominations are now open. 🏆
From fintech innovators to leading brokers, this is where the finance industry celebrates its biggest achievements.
Winners will be announced at the Cyprus Gala Dinner on November 6, 2026.
Nominate your brand now.
https://awards.financemagnates.com/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=nominations-open
#FMAwards #FinanceMagnates #FintechAwards #Fintech #FinanceIndustry
The Finance Magnates Awards 2026 nominations are now open. 🏆
From fintech innovators to leading brokers, this is where the finance industry celebrates its biggest achievements.
Winners will be announced at the Cyprus Gala Dinner on November 6, 2026.
Nominate your brand now.
https://awards.financemagnates.com/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=nominations-open
#FMAwards #FinanceMagnates #FintechAwards #Fintech #FinanceIndustry
Finance Magnates Awards 2026 | Nominations Now Open 🏆#Fintech #FMAwards #TradingIndustry
Finance Magnates Awards 2026 | Nominations Now Open 🏆#Fintech #FMAwards #TradingIndustry
Lights on. Cameras ready. 🎬
Finance Magnates Awards 2026 nominations are now open. 🏆
#FMAwards #FinanceMagnates #FintechAwards #Fintech
Lights on. Cameras ready. 🎬
Finance Magnates Awards 2026 nominations are now open. 🏆
#FMAwards #FinanceMagnates #FintechAwards #Fintech
Exness sees trust as the key theme for growth in MENA Trading Growth for 2026
Exness sees trust as the key theme for growth in MENA Trading Growth for 2026
Mohammad Amer, Regional Commercial Director at Exness, sits down to discuss the booming MENA financial trading market. Find out why Dubai is key to the company's growth strategy, how a mobile-first generation is changing expectations, and why trust will be the defining theme for traders in 2026.
In this interview, you'll learn:
* Why Dubai and the MENA region are critical growth markets for fintech and online trading.
* How Exness is addressing the demands of mobile-first, younger traders through engineering, platform stability, and transparent conditions.
* The essential role local talent plays in providing a culturally relevant and compliant user experience.
* Mohammad Amer's outlook on the future of the online trading industry and why stronger controls and systems are necessary.
* Why "trust" isn't just a brand value, but has commercial value—and why he predicts 2026 will be the "Year of Trust."
Key Takeaways:
➡️ The MENA region is rapidly shaping global financial markets.
➡️ New traders expect stability, precise execution, and transparency.
➡️ Local expertise is key to regulatory compliance and user experience.
➡️ Future success belongs to firms capable of meeting rising standards across regulation and platform consistency.
Read the full article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-sees-trust-as-the-key-theme-for-growth-in-mena-trading-growth-for-2026/
#Exness #MENA #Trading #FinTech #Dubai #OnlineTrading #FinanceMagnates #MohammadAmer #Trust #MobileTrading
Mohammad Amer, Regional Commercial Director at Exness, sits down to discuss the booming MENA financial trading market. Find out why Dubai is key to the company's growth strategy, how a mobile-first generation is changing expectations, and why trust will be the defining theme for traders in 2026.
In this interview, you'll learn:
* Why Dubai and the MENA region are critical growth markets for fintech and online trading.
* How Exness is addressing the demands of mobile-first, younger traders through engineering, platform stability, and transparent conditions.
* The essential role local talent plays in providing a culturally relevant and compliant user experience.
* Mohammad Amer's outlook on the future of the online trading industry and why stronger controls and systems are necessary.
* Why "trust" isn't just a brand value, but has commercial value—and why he predicts 2026 will be the "Year of Trust."
Key Takeaways:
➡️ The MENA region is rapidly shaping global financial markets.
➡️ New traders expect stability, precise execution, and transparency.
➡️ Local expertise is key to regulatory compliance and user experience.
➡️ Future success belongs to firms capable of meeting rising standards across regulation and platform consistency.
Read the full article at: https://www.financemagnates.com/thought-leadership/exness-sees-trust-as-the-key-theme-for-growth-in-mena-trading-growth-for-2026/
#Exness #MENA #Trading #FinTech #Dubai #OnlineTrading #FinanceMagnates #MohammadAmer #Trust #MobileTrading
Paytiko CEO Razi Salih on Why Payment Orchestration is a MUST-HAVE for Brokers in 2026
Paytiko CEO Razi Salih on Why Payment Orchestration is a MUST-HAVE for Brokers in 2026
At iFX Expo Dubai, Finance Magnates spoke with Razi Salih, CEO at Paytiko, about the evolution of the payments ecosystem and why payment orchestration has shifted from an option to a necessity for brokers, prop firms, and exchanges.
Mr. Salih explains how global expansion, the need for deep localisation, and the sheer number of new payment methods, from instant banking to stablecoins, are driving this critical infrastructure shift.
#PaymentOrchestration #Fintech #Brokerage #TradingPayments #RaziSalih #Paytiko #iFXExpoDubai #Stablecoins #AIinFintech
At iFX Expo Dubai, Finance Magnates spoke with Razi Salih, CEO at Paytiko, about the evolution of the payments ecosystem and why payment orchestration has shifted from an option to a necessity for brokers, prop firms, and exchanges.
Mr. Salih explains how global expansion, the need for deep localisation, and the sheer number of new payment methods, from instant banking to stablecoins, are driving this critical infrastructure shift.
#PaymentOrchestration #Fintech #Brokerage #TradingPayments #RaziSalih #Paytiko #iFXExpoDubai #Stablecoins #AIinFintech
Altima CTO Sunil Jadhav: Solving Data Fragmentation & Lag for Brokers & Prop Firms
Altima CTO Sunil Jadhav: Solving Data Fragmentation & Lag for Brokers & Prop Firms
Altima CTO Sunil Jadhav sits down with Finance Magnates to discuss the core technology challenges facing CFD brokers and proprietary trading firms today.
Jadhav explains how the industry's reliance on batch processing and fragmented systems (where CRMs, risk tools, and trading platforms operate with separate 'sources of truth') leads to delayed data and inconsistent operational decisions. He argues that real-time event processing is essential for managing fast-moving trading activity and risk.
Learn how Altima's unified, event-driven architecture, connecting Altima CRM, Altima Prop, IB systems, and risk management through a single backbone, is designed to provide synchronous data and better operational coordination for modern brokerage and prop firm stacks.
Key Topics:
- Broker and Prop Firm Data Challenges
- The problem of delayed data processing (batch processing vs. real-time events)
- Fragmented systems and conflicting data sources
- Altima's unified, event-driven solution architecture
- The concept of a "risk-aware CRM"
- Built-in risk management in Altima Prop
#Altima #financemagnates #iFXDubai #FinTech #BrokerTech #PropFirm #CFDBroker #TradingTechnology #RealTimeData #RiskManagement #CRM #FinancialMarkets #EventDrivenArchitecture
Altima CTO Sunil Jadhav sits down with Finance Magnates to discuss the core technology challenges facing CFD brokers and proprietary trading firms today.
Jadhav explains how the industry's reliance on batch processing and fragmented systems (where CRMs, risk tools, and trading platforms operate with separate 'sources of truth') leads to delayed data and inconsistent operational decisions. He argues that real-time event processing is essential for managing fast-moving trading activity and risk.
Learn how Altima's unified, event-driven architecture, connecting Altima CRM, Altima Prop, IB systems, and risk management through a single backbone, is designed to provide synchronous data and better operational coordination for modern brokerage and prop firm stacks.
Key Topics:
- Broker and Prop Firm Data Challenges
- The problem of delayed data processing (batch processing vs. real-time events)
- Fragmented systems and conflicting data sources
- Altima's unified, event-driven solution architecture
- The concept of a "risk-aware CRM"
- Built-in risk management in Altima Prop
#Altima #financemagnates #iFXDubai #FinTech #BrokerTech #PropFirm #CFDBroker #TradingTechnology #RealTimeData #RiskManagement #CRM #FinancialMarkets #EventDrivenArchitecture
