Key Highlights
- Robinhood received99 full authorization from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to offer retail investing services across the Middle East from a new regional headquarters in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
- The platform will provide trading and custody across all 10 DFSA-approved asset classes, including stocks, crypto, ETFs, and investment tokens, with a planned launch in 2027.
- Operations will be led by Salah Kaddoura as Senior Executive Officer and President of Robinhood MENA.
Robinhood Markets has received authorization from the Dubai Financial Services Authority to launch its retail investing platform across the Middle East, establishing a regional headquarters in the Dubai International Financial Centre. The company plans to roll out its full product suite in 2027, offering trading and custody services in all 10 asset classes permitted by the DFSA.
The move marks a key step in Robinhood’s international growth. Chairman and CEO Vlad Tenev said the DIFC is one of the world’s most important financial hubs and that the expansion brings the company closer to enabling anyone, anywhere, to own high-quality financial assets.
DFSA Authorization and Product Scope
The DFSA authorization allows Robinhood to provide trading and custody across equities, cryptocurrencies, exchange-traded funds, investment tokens, and other permitted asset classes. Operations will be based in the DIFC, which will serve as the regional headquarters for the Middle East and North Africa.
Salah Kaddoura has been appointed Senior Executive Officer and President of Robinhood MENA. He will lead the local team and bring regional fintech and investment experience. Kaddoura noted strong demand for modern, accessible financial tools across the area and said the company looks forward to expanding access to the global financial ecosystem for a new generation of investors.
Johann Kerbrat, SVP and GM of Robinhood Crypto and International, said, “The DIFC has quickly become one of the world’s most dynamic centers for financial innovation, situated at the heart of a rapidly growing wave of retail investors across the MENA region. We are excited to deliver the modern, accessible financial tools these investors deserve.”
“Robinhood’s decision to establish its regional headquarters in DIFC reinforces Dubai’s position as a global hub for financial innovation and reflects the growing demand for accessible, technology-driven investment services across the Middle East,” His Excellency Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority, said. “The arrival of one of the world’s most recognised retail investment platforms further strengthens DIFC’s ecosystem and reflects the calibre of international firms choosing Dubai as a base for regional expansion. With its proven ability to broaden participation in financial markets, Robinhood is well positioned to contribute to the continued development of the region’s investment landscape and to connect a new generation of investors with opportunities across global markets.”
Launch Timeline and Market Context
Robinhood expects to introduce its product suite in 2027. No more precise start date has been announced. The company will compete with established players already serving UAE and regional investors, including eToro, Interactive Brokers, and local platforms such as Baraka.
The DIFC has seen steady growth in licensed brokers. As of March 31, 2026, it counted 72 authorized brokerage firms, up from 49 in 2022. Robinhood’s entry adds another major international name to the free zone’s expanding roster.
Robinhood Expands Its Footprint in International Market
The Dubai authorization fits into Robinhood’s wider push beyond the United States. The firm already operates in the United Kingdom and the European Union. In April, it named Singapore its Asia-Pacific headquarters after receiving in-principle approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
In Canada, Robinhood closed the acquisition of WonderFi earlier in 2026, bringing the Bitbuy and Coinsquare crypto exchanges under its umbrella. The company has also opened a Toronto office. It has reported serving more than one million funded customers outside the United States. It also rolled out its own Robinhood Chain.
These steps reflect a strategy of securing local regulatory approvals and establishing regional bases before launching full retail services. The Middle East platform will give investors in the region expanded access to global markets through Robinhood’s familiar app-based interface.
Robinhood has not yet put out details such as pricing, specific product availability by country, or any local adaptations beyond the DFSA framework.
The company continues to build its local team in Dubai while preparing systems for the planned 2027 rollout. The authorization positions it to serve retail investors across the MENA region from a regulated base in one of the Gulf’s leading financial centres.
