Robinhood has secured authorization in Dubai to bring its retail investing platform to the Middle East, with a launch planned for 2027. The Dubai Financial Services Authority’s approval covers trading and custody across 10 asset classes, giving the company permission to offer equities, crypto and other investments from the Dubai International Financial Centre.
Key takeaways
- The DFSA approval spans 10 asset classes, including crypto and ETFs.
- DIFC will host Robinhood’s regional headquarters.
- Salah Kaddoura will lead Robinhood MENA and its expanding local team.
Robinhood’s Dubai authorization covers trading and custody
The authorization allows Robinhood to provide trading and custody across all 10 DFSA-approved asset classes, the company said. These include equities, crypto, exchange-traded funds and investment tokens.
The planned Middle East product rollout forms part of Robinhood’s international expansion. Its overseas efforts serve a customer base of more than 1 million people outside the US.
Vlad Tenev, Robinhood’s Chairman and CEO, described DIFC as part of the company’s ambition to build a global investing platform. “The DIFC is one of the world’s most important financial hubs,” he said.
DIFC will host the regional headquarters
Robinhood will base its Middle East operations and regional headquarters at the Dubai International Financial Centre. Salah Kaddoura will lead the business as Senior Executive Officer and President of Robinhood MENA.
Kaddoura brings fintech and investment experience across the Middle East and North Africa and will oversee the expanding local team, Robinhood said.
The company is entering an established brokerage ecosystem: DIFC counted 72 authorized brokerage firms as of March 31, 2026.
Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority, said Robinhood’s choice of headquarters reinforces Dubai’s position as a financial innovation hub. He also linked the move to growing regional demand for accessible, technology-driven investment services.
Expanding access for MENA retail investors
Robinhood says its Dubai authorization supports plans to give a new generation of regional investors broader access to global financial markets. Its executives framed the expansion around demand for modern investing tools across the Middle East and North Africa.
Johann Kerbrat, SVP and GM of Robinhood Crypto and International, described DIFC as a center for financial innovation serving a growing retail investor base. Amiri said Robinhood’s arrival would strengthen DIFC’s ecosystem and help connect regional investors with global opportunities.
“The demand for modern, accessible financial tools across this region is immense,” Kaddoura said. Robinhood plans to introduce its Middle East product suite in 2027.
Article produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence and reviewed by the editorial team.