Establishing in the
Dubai International Financial Centre
Ranked among the world’s top 10 financial centres, the DIFC is a well-established business and lifestyle destination, placing it alongside hubs such as London, New York, Hong Kong and Singapore…
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The leading financial hub for 7.4-trillion-dollar Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region.
The DIFC has been in business for over a decade, and has been a pioneer in offering entities a well-regulated platform to conduct financial service activities. The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) authorises and regulates firms for financial services, and is authorizes and regulates firms for financial services, and is recognized as a mature regulator both within the region, and worldwide.
The DIFC Courts completes the structure, with foundations set in the Common Law that offer a sense of familiarity and comfort to international investors.

13
Years in existence

10th
in Banker’s IFC rankings

21,000+
Professionals

450+
Financial firms
Categories Matrix
While the DFSA permits a wide range of financial services to be carried out from the DIFC, some restrictions apply. For example, any person or institution intending to carry out financial services in or from the DIFC is required to be licensed and authorized by the DFSA, and authorized firms are divided into the following categories, each with its own rules and capital requirements:

Category 1
- Accepting Deposits
- Managing a PSIAu
US $10 million
Category 2
- Dealing in Investments as Principal (not as a Matched Principal)
- Dealing as Credit
US $2 million
Category 3A
- Dealing in Investments as Principal (only as a Matched Principal)
- Dealing as Agent
US $500,000
Category 3B
- Providing Custody (only if for a Fund)
- Acting as the Trustee of a Fund
US $4 million
Category 3C
- Managing a Collective Investment Fund
- Managing Assets
- Providing Trust Services as a Trustee of an express trust
- Managing a PSIAr
- Providing Custody (other than for a Fund)
US $500,000
Except if the only Financial Service referred to in Rule 1.3.5(a) that the Authorised Firm is authorised to carry on is Managing a Collective Investment Fund in which case its Base Capital Requirement is:
- US $140,000 if it manages any Public Fund; or
- US $70,000 otherwise.
Category 4
- Advising on Financial Products
- Arranging Custody
- Insurance Intermediation
- Insurance Management
- Operating an Alternative Trading System
- Providing Fund Administration
- Providing Trust Services other than as a trustee of an express trust
- Arranging Credit and Advising on Credit
- Operating a Crowdfunding Platform
- Arranging Deals in Investments
US $ 10,000
Except if the Authorised Firm is authorised to Operate a Crowdfunding Platform and it holds Client Assets, in which case its Base Capital Requirement is US $140,000.
Category 5
US $ 10Million

DIFC
Representative
Offices
- Light-touch regulation
- Mandatory appointment of a "Principle Representative"
- Low-cost option of testing the Middle Eastern market
Allows firms established and regulated in other jurisdictions to market their services from the DIFC
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DIFC
Holding
Companies
- Can engage in proprietary investment activities
- DIFC Wills & Probate Registry
- Can establish Special Purpose Companies for transactions
Popularly used to consolidate worldwide investments, especially given the credibility of the DIFC as a well-regulated jurisdiction, and the security of Common Law.
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DIFC
Investment
Funds
- Supports both Domestic and Foreign Funds
- Extensive range of fund types and structures
- Fast-track notification process for Exempt and Qualified Investor funds
Designed to meet international standards and provide adequate investor protection, DIFC provides a facilitative, business-friendly regulatory framework, while remaining compliant with the IOSCO principles for regulating collective investment schemes.
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Interesting articles, books and briefings covering everything from financial services to technology. Also, Bitcoin!
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