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The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) recorded its strongest ever first-half performance in 2025, registering 1,081 new active companies, a 32% increase from the same period last year. This brings the total number of active firms to 7,700, up from 6,153 in H1 2024.

Growth in Workforce and Financial Licensing

• The DIFC workforce grew to 47,901 professionals, up 9% year-on-year.
• The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) now oversees 980 regulated entities, showing 17% growth.
• 78 new financial service licenses were issued, up from 61 last year—a 28% increase.

Sector Highlights

Financial Services

• Banking and capital markets reached 289 firms, up 17%.
• Wealth and asset managers rose to 440, a 19% increase.
• The number of hedge funds grew by 72% to 85, with 69 managing over $1 billion.
• Over 10,000 funds are now managed or marketed from the DIFC.

Innovation and Non-Financial Firms

• FinTech, AI, and innovation-driven firms reached 1,388, growing 28%.
• Non-financial entities increased to 6,335, also up 28%.
• Family businesses registered at DIFC grew to 1,035, a 73% rise.
• Foundations grew to 842, up 54%.

Insurance and Real Estate

• Insurance and reinsurance firms grew 8% to 135, with gross premiums reaching $3.5 billion, up from $2.6 billion.
• Over 1.6 million sq. ft. of new commercial space is under development, with DIFC Heights selling out in just three days.

Leadership Remarks

Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister and DIFC President, said these results reflect global confidence in Dubai’s economy.

Essa Kazim, DIFC Governor, highlighted DIFC’s role in boosting Dubai’s economic strength and global status.

Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, stated that DIFC has exceeded expectations and is shaping the future of finance from Dubai.

Global Recognition

DIFC is now ranked among the top eight financial hubs globally, alongside cities like London and New York, and is the largest regulated financial ecosystem in the MEASA region.

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In a groundbreaking move, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) has become the first public entity in the Middle East to accept cryptocurrency as a form of payment for court-related services. This initiative is part of the UAE’s broader digital transformation strategy and reinforces the country’s position as a fintech pioneer in the region.

The ADJD now allows users to pay judicial fees using AE Coin, a UAE-backed stablecoin, through the regulated AEC Wallet. Developed in partnership with Al Maryah Bank, the wallet ensures secure and compliant transactions. This advancement enables both residents and businesses to conveniently settle legal fees with digital currency—streamlining the process while embracing innovative payment solutions.

Dr. Yousef Saeed Al Abri, Undersecretary of the ADJD, emphasized that this move aligns with the UAE’s commitment to smart government services and digital innovation. It marks a significant leap in integrating blockchain and fintech into the country’s judicial and administrative systems.

AE Coin, which is pegged to the UAE dirham and governed by AED Stablecoin, has already gained traction within the public sector. It’s being used for payments with the Integrated Transport Centre and Air Arabia, and its expansion into the legal domain signals growing institutional trust in regulated crypto assets.

Al Maryah Bank’s CEO, Mohammed Wassim Khayata, praised the collaboration as a forward-looking step in secure government payment systems. Meanwhile, AED Stablecoin CEO Ramez Rafiq noted that public-sector adoption of AE Coin is steadily rising, with more government departments showing interest.

In parallel developments, the ADI Foundation—alongside First Abu Dhabi Bank and sovereign wealth fund ADQ—is working on another dirham-backed stablecoin, AEDC. Dubai is also moving forward in this space, exploring crypto payment integrations through partnerships with leading blockchain firms.

Abu Dhabi’s decision to accept cryptocurrency for court services is more than a milestone—it’s a statement. It demonstrates how traditional institutions can adapt to the future of finance, setting the stage for widespread adoption of digital currencies across the region’s public sector.

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RAKBANK has officially joined National Bonds’ fintech platform, Al Manassah—marking a major step forward in the UAE’s digital Islamic finance journey.

Al Manassah, launched in 2013, is a pioneering platform for trading Mudaraba-based Sukuk. It enables 24/7 issuance, transfer, and redemption of Sukuk digitally. To date, it has processed over AED 199 billion in transactions, including AED 33 billion in 2024 alone.

The inclusion of RAKBANK enhances the platform’s accessibility and reflects the growing demand for Sharia-compliant, tech-driven financial solutions. Both institutions emphasize that this partnership aligns with national goals of fintech innovation and financial inclusion.

Quote from National Bonds CEO, Mohammed Qasim Al Ali:
“This collaboration extends our mission to democratize access to Islamic investment tools through advanced fintech.”

Quote from RAKBANK CEO, Raheel Ahmed:
“We’re proud to offer our customers a seamless, Sharia-compliant investment experience through this digital integration.”

This partnership underscores the UAE’s commitment to becoming a global hub for ethical and innovative finance.

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Amazon Payment Services has joined forces with Tamara, the leading Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) provider in the GCC, to offer a seamless instalment payment experience across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. This strategic partnership brings Tamara’s Sharia-compliant, interest-free payment solution to Amazon’s regional merchant network—strengthening the growing demand for flexible digital payments.

With this integration, shoppers can now split purchases into four interest-free instalments directly at checkout. The initiative not only enhances convenience for consumers but also empowers businesses to improve conversions, increase order values, and reduce cart abandonment.

Tamara’s payment model, which aligns with Islamic finance principles, continues to resonate strongly in the region. The partnership supports Amazon Payment Services’ vision of expanding flexible payment options and boosting e-commerce growth in MENA.

According to Peter George, Managing Director of Amazon Payment Services in MENA, BNPL is now an essential part of the customer journey. He highlighted the partnership’s role in helping merchants tap into new revenue streams while delivering added value to shoppers. Sami Louali, Chief Revenue Officer of Tamara, expressed confidence in the collaboration’s potential to scale Tamara’s reach while providing a hassle-free payment experience.

Amazon Payment Services already works with over 25 banks in the region to offer long-term credit instalments. By integrating Tamara’s debit-based BNPL solution, Amazon adds greater choice and accessibility—helping merchants serve today’s digitally-savvy consumers more effectively.

This move marks a major milestone in the evolution of online payments in the region and positions both companies at the forefront of financial innovation in the Middle East.

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A New Era for Real Estate

Dubai has launched the Dubai PropTech Hub, the region’s first dedicated hub for property technology. Opened on July 3, 2025, at the DIFC Innovation Hub, it aims to bring modern technology into the real estate sector, making processes smarter and more efficient.

Goals by 2030

The PropTech Hub plans to:

• Support 200+ PropTech startups
• Create 3,000+ jobs
• Attract $300 million in investments

These goals align with Dubai’s long-term economic and real estate development strategies.

Who’s Involved?

The hub connects:

• Regulators like DIFC and the Dubai Land Department
• Real estate developers such as Binghatti, Majid Al Futtaim, Sobha Realty, Union Properties, and Transguard
• Investors and tech startups

Binghatti, a founding partner, is known for using AI, blockchain, and 3D models to improve real estate transparency and efficiency.

What Startups Get

Startups in the hub will receive:

• Special licenses and modern workspaces
• Incubator and accelerator programs
• Opportunities to test their tech in real-world settings
• Events and networking opportunities

Essa Kazim from DIFC said the hub will create a top-notch environment for real estate innovation. Omar BuShehab from DLD said it supports Dubai’s plan to go fully digital in real estate.

Why It’s Important

The hub will:

• Help new businesses grow faster
• Bring real estate companies and tech startups together
• Put Dubai on the map as a global leader in PropTech

What’s Next?

The PropTech Hub will:

• Invite global startups to join
• Start pilot projects with developers
• Launch targeted programs and global events

Final Thoughts

Dubai’s PropTech Hub is a big step forward for real estate. It combines technology, regulation, and investment to build a smarter and more advanced property market.

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In a major step toward accelerating digital innovation, Mawarid Finance and Arab Financial Services (AFS) have launched the UAE’s first Fintech Enablement Hub. This new platform is designed to support fintech startups by offering fast, seamless access to payment and card issuance infrastructure.

The goal of the hub is to simplify the process for fintechs to launch their own card programs. By combining BIN sponsorship, processing, scheme connectivity, and card issuance into a single platform, fintech companies can now go from concept to live card issuance in as little as 15 days.

One of the key features of this hub is its integration with Mastercard Product Express. This allows startups to select a certified program manager, choose card designs, access live BINs, and monitor the entire process with full transparency—all from one place.

Rashid Al Qubaisi, CEO of Mawarid Finance, stated that this partnership supports fintech innovation by providing the regulatory and operational foundations needed to grow quickly and compliantly. He emphasized that Mawarid’s role as a BIN sponsor will allow new digital financial models to thrive in the region.

Samer Soliman, CEO of AFS, highlighted the importance of reducing friction for fintech companies. He explained that AFS is offering a full-service platform with the technology and expertise needed to shorten time-to-market and simplify operations for digital card programs.

This collaboration is expected to drive major growth in the UAE’s fintech ecosystem. It offers startups a faster, easier way to launch financial products without having to manage multiple partnerships or face regulatory roadblocks.

With this initiative, Mawarid Finance and AFS are positioning the UAE as a leading hub for fintech innovation in the region, providing startups with the tools, support, and infrastructure needed to succeed in the digital economy.

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