DIFC Surpasses 8,000 Companies as Banking Assets Hit $240 Billion

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) sees a new milestone in over 8,000 active registered companies, including over 1,000 firms regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). As DIFC surpasses 8,000 companies, this occasion further reinforces Dubai’s status as a leading financial hub for the Middle East, Asia, and South Asia (MEASA).

According to the DIFC, banking assets managed from within the Centre have reached approximately $240 billion, representing a 200% increase since 2015. This surge reflects Dubai’s financial hub growth and the continued trust of global institutions in Dubai’s regulatory framework and its appeal as a gateway to regional and international markets.

Dubai recently climbed to rank 11 on the Global Financial Centre Index (GFCI), confirming the status of DIFC financial services sector as the region’s most credible financial centre and one of the world’s top four FinTech hubs. The achievement further elevates Dubai’s standing on the global financial stage. The Governor of DIFC, Essa Kazim, said:

“DIFC’s success is the benchmark for emerging financial centres. We’ve built a business environment that empowers companies to lead and grow, anchored in innovation, integrity, and global standards.”

DIFC’s Cohesive Global Ecosystem of Finance and Innovation

Since its establishment in 2004, DIFC has evolved into a magnet for global financial institutions, technology innovators, and professional services firms. The Centre operates through a unique ecosystem supported by three independent bodies, which include the DIFC Authority, the DFSA, and the DIFC Courts. Together, they offer a blend of regulatory certainty and operational flexibility.

Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of the DIFC Authority, highlighted that the latest figures reflect both scale and diversity. “Exceeding 8,000 registered companies reinforces DIFC’s position as the only financial centre in the region operating at scale across all sectors. This depth enables us to shape the global financial services landscape and drive Dubai’s emergence as a technology innovation hub.”

The Centre is home to over 1,000 regulated entities. These include 289 licensed banks and capital markets firms, among them 27 of the world’s 29 globally systemically important banks. This makes DIFC home to one of the most comprehensive financial ecosystems in the world. Mark Steward, Chief Executive of the DFSA, talks about the Centre’s growing influence:

“With more than 1,000 regulated entities, DIFC is the region’s premier financial hub. Firms are choosing to establish here to connect with global capital flows and tap into growth opportunities across both mature and emerging markets.”

The DFSA’s regulatory framework, grounded in common law and aligned with international standards, continues to attract financial institutions seeking transparency, predictability, and connectivity. Meanwhile, the DIFC Courts have also reported a surge in activity, handling AED 17.5 billion in total DIFC Courts case values in 2025 .

His Excellency Wayne Martin, Chief Justice of the DIFC Courts, said the increase in high-value and complex claims demonstrates growing global trust in Dubai’s legal infrastructure. Additionally, he said, the growth in dispute resolution and mediation reflects confidence in their independent judicial system and the Centre’s reputation as a jurisdiction of choice for complex commercial cases.

Driving Dubai’s D33 Economic Agenda

The Centre’s workforce now exceeds 48,000 professionals, reflecting the growing concentration of global expertise in Dubai. The rise from 7,700 companies at the end of June 2025, when the Centre added 1,081 new firms in just the first half of the year, underscores DIFC’s accelerating momentum.

The DIFC’s rapid growth aligns closely with Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33, which aims to position the emirate among the world’s top four global financial centres by 2033. Amiri said that DIFC’s ongoing expansion is a key driver of this national vision. With over two decades of consistent growth, the DIFC stands as a model of regulatory excellence and economic resilience.

As the world’s financial landscape becomes increasingly interconnected, Dubai’s DIFC continues to serve as a bridge between global markets, offering unparalleled access, a transparent legal system, and an innovation-driven environment. Its combination of robust governance, technological ambition, and international connectivity has positioned it not only as the financial heart of Dubai but as a strategic node in the global financial system.

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