The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) has launched DFSA Connect at GITEX, a new digital platform designed to streamline and accelerate the licensing process for financial firms in Dubai's International Financial Centre, aiming to reduce processing times by approximately 33%.

Accessible at https://services.dfsa.ae/, DFSA Connect will be showcased at the DFSA stand during GITEX Global, highlighting Dubai's commitment to evolving its financial regulatory environment.

This initiative responds to a surge in applications, which increased by 18% during the first nine months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, driven by high demand from brokers and trading companies.

Major brokerages such as Scope Markets and GCC Brokers are expanding in Dubai due to this high demand, with European firms using Dubai as a booking center to serve clients outside the EU.

Retail trading firms favor Dubai for licensing because of the regulatory gap that allows higher leverage, contributing to a 7.8% CAGR in retail forex participation in the MENA region since 2022.

The DIFC has experienced significant growth, with 1,081 new companies in the first half of 2025 and a 28% rise in financial services authorizations, reflecting broader regional economic momentum.

Dubai's financial ecosystem is also attracting fintech companies through an expanded regulatory sandbox, supporting over 1,100 fintech firms and more than 100 startups annually via programs like the FinTech Hive.

Major brokerages such as XS.com and Exness have recently obtained licenses in Dubai, and cryptocurrency firms like Bybit are entering the Middle Eastern market, further diversifying the sector.

Despite the increased volume of applications stretching capacity, DFSA anticipates a 33% efficiency gain from DFSA Connect, which will make approval processes faster, simpler, and more user-friendly.

Future enhancements of DFSA Connect will include advanced AI integration to personalize the applicant experience and further accelerate approvals, maintaining Dubai’s competitive edge in global finance.

Juma Thani Alhameli, COO of the DFSA, emphasized that DFSA Connect represents a significant technological advancement supporting innovation and growth in the DIFC, with plans for AI-driven solutions.

The favorable regulatory environment, including leverage up to 50:1 for CFD and forex brokers, along with Dubai's strategic geographic position, continues to attract firms to the region.

Over the past year, the DFSA has focused on digitalizing its infrastructure to enhance efficiency and responsibly foster innovation within Dubai’s financial sector.