Dubai Surges Toward Global Top 10 Financial Centres As DIFC Outpaces New York, London And Hong Kong

With more than 8,000 active registered companies and over 1,500 FinTech, AI and innovation firms, Dubai is now positioned among the world’s top next-generation finance centres.

The emirate’s rise is reinforced by DIFC’s record concentration of regulated financial firms — more than 1,000 supervised by the Dubai Financial Services Authority — making it the region’s leading hub for global finance, digital assets, and growth-stage tech.

DIFC study highlights Dubai growth

DIFC’s sixth edition of its flagship Future of Finance series, titled “Next-Generation Financial Cities: New models for attracting global capital”, examines how Dubai and other rising hubs are increasingly outperforming long-established financial centres.

The report was launched with Asia House during a global webinar attended by more than 600 senior executives.

According to DIFC, emerging hubs like Dubai are benefitting from a unique combination of strategic adaptability, advanced regulatory frameworks, and a business-friendly environment.

By contrast, traditional hubs are grappling with rising operational costs, ageing infrastructure, political uncertainty and regulatory stagnation.

Dubai rising across global financial indices

Dubai’s ascent is reflected in its performance in global benchmarking reports, including the Global Financial Centres Index, where it is now just outside the global top 10.

Professor Michael Mainelli, President of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted Dubai’s remarkable trajectory: “When we launched the index in 2005, the average centre scored 567 points, and Dubai was close at 570… Dubai has moved significantly from 570 to 748 points, placing it just outside the global top 10.

“Back then, Dubai was three points above average; now, it is 51 points ahead.”

The latest research identifies four pillars shaping the future of finance:

• Talent attraction
• Financial infrastructure and adaptability
• Regulation and governance
• Connectivity

DIFC has invested heavily across all four — from its Common Law framework and specialised financial regulations to major efforts to attract global tech talent and deepen innovation ecosystems.

Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, said emerging hubs are implementing reforms and embracing new models to outpace established centres. He noted that Dubai possesses “unique characteristics that give it an exceptional competitive advantage”, underpinned by DIFC’s strong governance and regulatory innovation.

Global voices highlight Dubai appeal

Industry leaders interviewed for the report highlighted why Dubai is increasingly favoured by international professionals and institutions:

• Dr. Jochen Biedermann, Managing Director of the World Alliance of International Financial Centers, said that for global talent, quality of life — including schools, safety and green spaces — is becoming as important as business competitiveness
• Wolfgang Engel, General Manager and Regional Representative at the Institute of International Finance for the Middle East and Africa, said emerging hubs should be seen as partners in building a resilient financial system, noting the opportunity for collaboration on FinTech standards, cross-border data flows and climate finance

The report underscores that Dubai is already outperforming major global hubs, supported by a rapidly expanding innovation ecosystem.

Firms based at DIFC have raised more than $4.2bn in investments, cementing the centre’s status as the most active growth-stage tech environment in the region.

DIFC’s growth is also contributing to a broader shift in global finance toward a distributed network of interconnected financial centres — a future in which Dubai is expected to play a leading role.