Robinhood has secured full authorization from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to operate a retail investment platform within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The license permits the company to provide trading and custody services across all 10 asset classes recognized by the regulator, including digital assets, equities, ETFs, and investment tokens.
The DIFC will function as the regional headquarters for Robinhood in the Middle East and North Africa. Salah Kaddoura has been appointed as the Senior Executive Officer and President of Robinhood MENA to oversee regional operations. The company plans to launch its full product suite for eligible investors in the region by 2027.
This expansion follows Robinhood's recent international growth into the UK, EU, Singapore, and Canada, serving a global customer base of over 1 million people outside the US. As of March 31, 2026, there were 72 authorized brokerage firms operating within the DIFC, highlighting the competitive landscape the company is entering.
The regulatory approval includes custody permissions, allowing Robinhood to safeguard client digital assets. While the company has previously obtained in-principle approval in Singapore in April 2026 and acquired WonderFi in June 2026, the current focus in Dubai remains on strategic positioning rather than immediate revenue generation.
