Dubai:Robinhood has announced its plans to establish its regional headquarters at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) as part of its expansion into the Middle East. The company has received authorization from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) to introduce its retail investing platform in the region.
According to Wam, this strategic move marks a significant milestone in Robinhood's international expansion. The authorization enables Robinhood to offer access to trading and custody across all 10 DFSA-approved asset classes, including equities, cryptocurrencies, ETFs, and investment tokens.
Robinhood plans to launch its product suite in 2027, aiming to provide local investors with enhanced access to the global economy. Vlad Tenev, Chairman and CEO of Robinhood, highlighted the importance of DIFC as a global financial hub, expressing the company's commitment to building a platform that allows anyone to own high-quality financial assets.
Johann Kerbrat, SVP and GM of Robinhood Crypto and International, emphasized the dynamic nature of DIFC and the growing wave of retail investors in the MENA region. Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, noted that Robinhood's presence reinforces Dubai's status as a global hub for financial innovation.
Robinhood's operations in the DIFC will be led by Salah Kaddoura, Senior Executive Officer and President of Robinhood MENA. Kaddoura will oversee the expanding local team and aims to expand Robinhood's regional presence, providing modern financial tools to a new generation of investors.
