Oct 22, 2026
Robinhood chooses DIFC as regional headquarters to drive Middle East expansion
Robinhood has received authorization from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to introduce its retail investing platform in the Middle East from the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), marking a key milestone in its international expansion.
“The DIFC is one of the world’s most important financial hubs, and our expansion there brings us closer to building a global platform that enables anyone, anywhere to own the highest quality financial assets,” said Vlad Tenev, Chairman and CEO of Robinhood.
The authorization will allow Robinhood to offer access to trading and custody across all 10 DFSA-approved asset classes, including equities, crypto, ETFs and investment tokens.
Robinhood plans to launch its product suite in 2027, giving local investors expanded access to the global economy.
“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,” said Johann Kerbrat, SVP and GM of Robinhood Crypto and International. “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, commenting on behalf of DIFC. “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.”
Robinhood’s operations will be based in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), and led by Salah Kaddoura, Senior Executive Officer and President of Robinhood MENA. Kaddoura brings deep fintech and investment expertise from across the MENA region and will oversee our expanding local team.
“The demand for modern, accessible financial tools across this region is immense,” said Salah Kaddoura, Senior Executive Officer and President of Robinhood MENA. “From our new home in Dubai’s premier financial hub, we’re looking forward to building Robinhood’s regional presence and expanding access to the global financial ecosystem for a new generation of investors.”
A Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This blog post includes forward-looking statements about Robinhood Markets, Inc. (together with its consolidated subsidiaries, "Robinhood," "we," or the "Company"), including statements regarding our planned expansion into the United Arab Emirates and our anticipated 2027 product launch. These statements are based on current assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including regulatory developments, market demand, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. You should not rely on our forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. More information about potential risks and uncertainties that could affect our business can be found in the "Risk Factors" section in Part I, Item 1A of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, and in our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements in this blog post are made as of the date of this blog post, [October 22, 2026], and we assume no obligation to update them, except as required by law. Robinhood Markets, Inc. (NASDAQ: HOOD) is a global leader in financial services offering retail brokerage, crypto, advisory, digital banking services, and private markets access to a new generation of investors. Additional information about Robinhood can be found at www.robinhood.com.
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