The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) announced today its best-ever performance for the first half of a year, reinforcing its key role in driving the future of finance and contributing to the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
During the first six months of 2025, DIFC saw a record number of new firms establishing operations in the center, bringing the total number of active registered companies to 7,700, up from 6,153 in H1 2024, a 25 percent annual increase.
1,081 new active registered companies joined DIFC between January and June 2025, a 32 percent increase on the same period in 2024. Meanwhile, the number of professionals working in the center rose to 47,901, marking a significant 9 percent increase from 43,787 a year earlier.
“Dubai has entered a new and greater phase of growth, and these results highlight the competitiveness, attractiveness and global confidence it enjoys. We firmly believe the future holds even more opportunities, and we will continue to strengthen DIFC’s capabilities and its ecosystems that foster innovation, agility and business growth,” said His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE, and President of DIFC.
980 entities now regulated by the DFSA
DIFC continues to advance its position as the region’s largest regulated financial services ecosystem. A total of 980 entities are now regulated by the DFSA, the independent regulator for business undertaken from or within DIFC, up 17 percent year-on-year from 2024. Total Financial services authorizations grew 28 percent year-on-year, reaching 78 in H1 2025 compared to 61 in H1 2024.
DIFC’s banking and capital markets cluster is unrivalled in the region, and growth aligns with the demand for broad and deep financial services capabilities to support the region’s economic development aspirations. A total of 289 companies operate in this sector, up from 247 a year ago, a substantial 17 percent growth rate.
DIFC’s wealth and asset management cluster grows 19 percent
Dubai is also home to the highest concentration of private wealth in any Middle Eastern city, according to Henley & Partners. This has supported growth in DIFC’s wealth and asset management cluster, which is the biggest in the region. The number of firms in the sector increased to 440, up from 370 in H1 2024, growing 19 percent year-on-year. The center is now home to more than 85 hedge funds, soaring 72 percent over the last 12 months, and includes 69 billion-dollar funds. Over 10,000 funds are being managed or marketed from DIFC.
DIFC’s approach to supporting family businesses, including providing access to alternative investments through its wealth and asset management clients, and structures to support growth, continues to ensure the center is their preferred location. The number of entities associated with family businesses operating in DIFC has risen to 1,035, up from 600 a year ago, marking a 73 percent increase. The number of foundations in DIFC has also accelerated to 842, up from 548 in H1 2024, a 54 percent year-on-year increase.
“DIFC remains the driving force behind Dubai’s economic growth, as a key enabler of the financial services sector’s expansion and diversification. Our consistent performance across all key sectors and rising global standing are evidence of our commitment to supporting innovation, attracting global capital, and reinforcing Dubai’s status as one of the world’s most competitive and diversified economies,” said Essa Kazim, governor of DIFC.
Insurance and reinsurance sector grows 8 percent
The insurance and reinsurance sector also experienced robust growth, with 135 related firms now operating in the ecosystem, increasing 8 percent from 125 in H1 2024. During the first half of 2025, it was announced that gross written premiums reached $3.5 billion for 2024, compared to $2.6 billion a year earlier – a significant 35 percent increase.
“In the first half of 2025, DIFC has exceeded expectations across every metric. Our strong performance demonstrates the power of our ecosystem, the scale of our platform, and the depth of expertise we bring to the industry. We remain committed to transforming the future of finance from Dubai and advancing our position as the region’s number one global financial center,” said Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority.
FinTech and Innovation companies reach 1,388
DIFC’s innovation ecosystem continued to attract a growing number of technology-led firms. The number of FinTech and Innovation companies reached 1,388, up from 1,081 in H1 2024, a surge of 28 percent, securing Dubai’s position a one of the world’s top five hubs for FinTech in the latest Global Financial Centers Index.
During H1 2025, this contributed to an overall 28 percent growth in total active non-financial entities, increasing to 6,335, up from 4,935 a year earlier.
The center’s flagship events, the Dubai AI Festival and Dubai FinTech Summit, collectively attracted over 20,000 participants from 120+ countries. During these events and in support of DIFC’s innovation agenda, the Dubai AI Academy was launched, and Dubai Future Finance Week was announced. Being held in May 2026, the week will bring together six major events, including the FinTech Summit, Future Sustainability Forum and the Dubai Future District Fund AGM.
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DIFC advances regulatory frameworks
DIFC’s legal and regulatory frameworks continued to evolve to keep pace with global developments. During the first half of 2025, the center proposed to enact new Variable Capital Company Regulations. The proposed regulations seek to significantly enhance investment structuring and asset management options for proprietary investment in DIFC.
Additionally, legal updates were proposed through the DIFC Laws Amendment Law, including refinements to the Law of Security, Insolvency Law and Employment Law, ensuring alignment with international standards.
In a milestone achievement underscoring Dubai’s growing influence in global governance, DIFC was selected to host the upcoming Global Privacy Assembly 2026, the premier global forum for data protection and privacy authorities.
