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.

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.

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.