The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) recorded its strongest half-year performance to date, led by significant momentum in the insurance and FinTech sectors.
During the first six months of 2025, DIFC registered 1,081 new active companies, pushing its total to 7,700.
Insurance-related firms played a leading role, with Gross Written Premiums (GWP) reaching $3.5 bn in 2024—up from $2.6 bn the previous year.
The Centre now hosts 135 insurance-focused entities, reinforcing its role as a regional hub for the global insurance market.
- Largest InsurTech Unicorn Startups
- Largest FinTech Unicorn Startups
- Global InsurTech Startup Investors
DIFC’s broader financial services sector also posted solid gains. Financial services authorisations rose 28% year-on-year to 78 by mid-2025.
- The banking and capital markets cluster expanded from 247 to 289 firms. Wealth and asset management saw an increase to 440 firms from 370 a year earlier, marking a 19% annual growth rate.
- Among them are 85 hedge funds, including 69 managing more than $1 bn in assets. Over 10,000 funds are now either managed or marketed through DIFC.
The FinTech and Innovation segment continues to scale rapidly. The number of active firms climbed from 1,081 to 1,388 year-on-year, a 28% increase.
Family office activity also saw sharp growth. DIFC now hosts 1,035 family business entities, compared to 600 in H1 2024. The number of foundations rose to 842, up from 548 during the same period last year.
Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC, stated that the Centre plays a central role in Dubai’s economic growth. He cited continued expansion across financial verticals and growing international relevance as signals of DIFC’s long-term strategy to attract capital and support innovation.
DIFC remains the driving force behind Dubai’s economic growth, as a key enabler of the financial services sector’s expansion and diversification.
H.E. Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC
“Our consistent performance across all sectors and rising global standing strengthen our commitment to supporting innovation, attracting global capital, and reinforcing Dubai’s status as one of the world’s most competitive and diversified economies,” H.E. Essa Kazim commented.
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is one of the world’s leading financial hubs, strategically located in Dubai to serve markets across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA).
Launched in 2004, DIFC offers a globally recognized legal and regulatory framework based on English common law, making it a preferred jurisdiction for international financial institutions, insurance providers, fintech startups, and asset managers.
DIFC operates under an independent legal system, complete with its own courts and arbitration framework. It is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), which oversees banking, capital markets, insurance, and investment services. This legal independence gives companies operating within DIFC confidence and clarity in contract enforcement and dispute resolution.
The Centre also provides a 50-year guarantee of zero taxes on corporate income and profits, 100% foreign ownership, and unrestricted repatriation of capital and profits. These conditions have made DIFC a magnet for global financial players.
As of mid-2025, DIFC hosts over 7,700 active companies and nearly 48,000 professionals. It supports a diverse ecosystem spanning banking, insurance, capital markets, asset management, fintech, legal services, and family offices.
The Centre has increasingly become a launchpad for hedge funds, billion-dollar funds, and structured investment platforms aimed at regional and global markets.
In recent years, DIFC has also become a major fintech hub, accelerating digital innovation through licensing support, regulatory sandboxes, and venture funding programs.
It serves as a gateway for firms looking to scale across emerging and frontier economies while anchored in a jurisdiction with strong governance, connectivity, and infrastructure.
Overall, DIFC plays a key role in positioning Dubai as a global financial and innovation capital, connecting regional growth opportunities with international investors and institutions.
