Dubai, UAE – The Dubai Financial Services Authority, the independent regulator of banking, financial services and markets at the Dubai International Financial Centre, issued on Thursday the Authority’s annual performance report during 2025, entitled “Leading the Future of Financial Markets”.
The Authority registered and licensed 182 new companies, bringing the total number of regulated entities to 1,050, an increase of 16%. Compared to 2024.
The sectors include banking and capital markets, wealth and asset management, insurance and financial technology.
Since the end of the reporting period on December 31, 2025, Dubai has advanced to occupy seventh place globally in the Global Financial Centers Index (39), issued in March 2026. Thus recording the highest rating of its kind in its history.
The Dubai Financial Services Authority continues its efforts to strengthen and expand the capital markets system in Dubai. Through regulatory improvements, infrastructure enhancements, and initiatives aimed at increasing market participation and enhancing investor confidence.
The total value of new bond listings reached $30.6 billion in 2025. Bringing total existing listings to $147.4 billion.
The Dubai International Financial Centre has maintained its position as one of the most prominent areas of expertise in the field of sukuk. The volume of instruments included in it amounted to $107.9 billion.
The over-the-counter trading market witnessed unprecedented growth in value and trading volume, recording $13 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Wealth and Asset Management
In wealth and asset management, this sector continues to consolidate its position as a fundamental pillar of the Dubai International Financial Centre system.
The fund management sector has expanded to include 121 licensed companies, with assets under management amounting to $176 billion. This reflects the UAE’s growing position as a preferred destination for fund structuring and management.
More broadly, the sector includes more than 320 licensed companies with consulting assets amounting to $220 billion.
The Dubai International Financial Centre has become one of the world’s top five hedge fund centres. With 87 funds registered at the center, including two of the largest funds in the world.
banking services
In the field of banking services, the total consolidated balance sheet of banks in the Dubai International Financial Centre reached $251 billion by the end of the fourth quarter of 2025. An increase of 19% year-on-year, and an increase of 195%, compared to the end of 2015.
Private banks continue to expand their operations, with total consulting assets reaching $103.8 billion. This represents an annual growth rate of 23% and a customer base of more than 14,000, strengthening the center’s position as a leading incubator for wealth management activities.
insurance sector
In the insurance sector, the sector continued to achieve strong and steady growth, with a 15% increase in insurance-related entities. This strengthens the position of the Dubai International Financial Centre as a leading regional platform.
As of December 31, 2025, total written premiums had risen to record levels of $4.24 billion for reinsurance companies and reinsurance subscribers. While insurance brokers recorded $3.38 billion.
